{"id":59138,"date":"2026-03-10T10:32:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T14:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/?p=59138"},"modified":"2026-03-11T08:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T12:00:15","slug":"freezing-rain-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/freezing-rain-warning\/","title":{"rendered":"FREEZING RAIN WARNING \u2013 IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">A potentially critical freezing rain event is expected over the coming days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>What<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Forecasted total accumulations of 20 to 30 millimetres of freezing rain, accompanied by sustained winds of approximately 20 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 50 kilometres per hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>When<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Precipitation is expected to begin early Wednesday morning, between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., continue steadily throughout the day, and end early Thursday morning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>Impacts and risks<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>Wednesday, March 11:\u00a0<\/strong>Municipal offices will be closed for in\u2011person services. Residents are encouraged to contact the Town by phone for any assistance. In the event of a power outage, the Parks and Recreation Department at the Community Centre will remain open to accommodate residents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Temporary adjustments to municipal collections are expected, including the <strong>postponement of recycling collection to Thursday<\/strong>, while <strong>organic waste collection will proceed and begin earlier than usual<\/strong>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Significant transportation delays and cancellations are anticipated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Roadways, sidewalks, and public spaces will become extremely icy, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Prolonged power outages are possible, as ice accumulation combined with wind may result in broken tree branches and damaged power lines.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Residents are encouraged to contact Hydro\u2011Qu\u00e9bec directly to report outages and to consult Info\u2011Pannes for updates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Persistently cold temperatures following the event may delay the full restoration of services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>Public safety and preparedness recommendations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Residents are strongly encouraged to delay or cancel all non\u2011essential travel, exercise heightened caution when outdoors, and closely monitor official communications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">To better prepare for potential service disruptions, residents are advised to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Park vehicles in garages or private driveways whenever possible and avoid parking under trees. Public parking areas on Rue Harrow and at the Community Centre will be made available to residents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Ensure vehicles are adequately fuelled and winter\u2011ready, should travel become unavoidable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Maintain essential supplies, including drinking water, non\u2011perishable food not requiring cooking, necessary medications, flashlights, batteries, and a battery\u2011powered radio.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Charge mobile phones and external battery packs in advance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Keep some cash on hand, as electronic payment systems may be temporarily unavailable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Limit the opening of refrigerators and freezers during power outages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Dress warmly indoors and ensure access to additional blankets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Check on elderly, isolated, or vulnerable individuals and ensure they have access to essential resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Postpone construction or outdoor work sites.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Prepare or review a 72\u2011hour emergency kit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>Generator and electrical safety<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Portable generators must be used outdoors only, well away from doors and windows, to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>NEVER APPROACH A DOWNED POWER LINE.<br \/>\nAny electrical hazard must be reported immediately to Hydro\u2011Qu\u00e9bec.<br \/>\nAny situation posing an immediate danger must be reported without delay to 911.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>After the event<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Remain vigilant for falling ice from buildings, trees, and structures. Debris should only be removed once conditions are safe and with appropriate caution.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Public works crews will intervene as conditions allow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>Municipal operations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Municipal crews will be actively deployed before and throughout the event to carry out winter maintenance operations, including the application of salt and abrasive materials on roadways, sidewalks, and priority areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Despite these efforts, icy conditions may persist. Residents are asked to exercise caution at all times and to cooperate in allowing crews to work safely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">In the event of a power outage, the Irving L. Adessky Community Centre (30, Rue Lyncroft) will be open and available to residents for warming and charging electronic devices. When travelling to the Community Centre, residents are encouraged to proceed cautiously along the edge of the roadway, where salt and abrasive materials are applied first, while remaining alert to traffic, vehicles, and roadway conditions, including the presence of potholes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Municipal services are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions evolve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><strong>Useful Contacts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<table width=\"653\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"245\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Town Hall (available by phone only)<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"255\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Mon-Thu: 8:00 a.m. \u2013 4:15 p.m.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Fridays:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a08:00 a.m. \u2013 15:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"153\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">514 369-8200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"245\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Public Security<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"255\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">24hr dispatch<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"153\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">514 369-8250<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"245\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">SPVM<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"255\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">24hr dispatch<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"153\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">9-1-1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"245\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"255\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">24hr dispatch<\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"153\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">1-800-790-2424<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A potentially critical freezing rain event is expected over the coming days. What Forecasted total accumulations of 20 to 30 millimetres of freezing rain, accompanied by sustained winds of approximately 20 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 50 kilometres per hour. When Precipitation is expected to begin early Wednesday morning, between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., continue steadily throughout the day, and end early Thursday morning. Impacts and risks Wednesday, March 11:\u00a0Municipal offices will be closed for in\u2011person services. Residents are encouraged to contact the Town by phone for any assistance. In the event of a power outage,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59138\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hampstead.qc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}