Power restored in Tuktoyaktuk after strong wind downs line

A line crew from Inuvik worked through a blizzard warning to restore Tuktoyaktuk residents’ power on Wednesday night after a power line came down in high winds.

The NWT Power Corporation confirmed a partial power outage in the Arctic coast community just after 7pm, saying 170 customers were estimated to be affected.

A crew from Inuvik arrived in Tuktoyaktuk at 9:30pm according to Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson.

By 10:15pm, the power corporation said power to the community had been fully restored – some two hours ahead of what Jacobson estimated to be the repair schedule.

Posting on Facebook, Jacobson had earlier urged residents to “keep safe and conserve water” during the outage.

Sustained, strong winds of 55 km/h or more began in the early evening in Tuktoyaktuk.

A blizzard warning is in place with residents being told to expect “hazardous” conditions throughout Thursday and even into Friday.

“Long-lasting blizzard conditions, with near zero visibility in snow and blowing snow, are expected to develop this evening,” Environment and Climate Change Canada posted in an advisory issued at 9:30pm on Wednesday.

“Although the visibility may improve at times, the hazardous conditions are forecast to continue into Friday,” the advisory read.

“Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Ensure that shelter is provided for pets and outdoor animals.”

The federal agency issues blizzard warnings when visibility is expected to dip below 400 metres for at least a six-hour period.