Just weeks after dealing with its most significant outage ever, NB Power says recent service disruptions are still related to post-tropical storm Arthur.
At its peak, Arthur knocked out power for 250,000 people in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick when it hit the Maritimes on July 5, and Fredericton was among the areas hardest hit by the storm.
The utility says trees and branches weakened by July’s storm continue to make impact with power lines, and customers are being told service interruptions may continue into the fall.
Sheila Robertson says she was only at work for a few hours Friday when the lights suddenly went out.
“I thought it was a practical joke, but it was really a practical joke from NB Power,” says Robertson, who works at a convenience store and gas station.
Power crews spent two hours trying to reconnect electricity to 2,500 customers in the Oromocto and Burton areas, prompting the convenience store and gas bar to shut down.
Friday’s outage was one of several over the past few weeks, resulting in lost revenue for some New Brunswick businesses.
“Delivery people couldn’t come today, they couldn’t deliver the order we needed to have ordered,” says Robertson. “They’re going to have to come back at a different time.”
NB Power says Friday’s outage was caused by fallen trees and branches weakened by Arthur.
“We expect to see many of these short-term power outages,” says NB Power spokeswoman Meghan Gerrish. “Again, after post-tropical Arthur, we’ll see a lot of that, weakened trees and branches hanging over the lines that are easily snapped.”
NB Power says they’re working to clear away trees and branches from power lines before winter arrives.
“That work continues year-round, but the bulk will take place in the summer and the fall,” says Gerrish.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore
