Town without Power as Temps hit -40

The town of Moosonee has declared a state of emergency as a prolonged power outage hit the town this morning at temperatures reached -40 C.

The power failure occurred at approximately 3:00 am and a state of emergency was declared at 10 am as the power had not been restored and temperatures were dipping. An emergency shelter has been established at the local college campus in this town of 3,500. Warmth, food and water were being provided at the shelter. A boil water advisory had been declared earlier in the town, now made very difficult without electricity.

Moosonee is an isolated town on the coast of James Bay only accessible by train or aircraft, except in the summer when ships arrive with large supplies.