Event CategoryDisaster
Event GroupNatural
Event SubgroupMeteorological - Hydrological
Event TypeWinter Storm
PlaceOntario, Quebec and New Brunswick
Event Start DateJanuary 4, 1998
Event End DateJanuary 10, 1998
CommentsOntario, Quebec and New Brunswick, January 4-10, 1998. Freezing rain (50 to >100mm) fell in a corridor extending from Kingston-to Ottawa-to Montreal to the Monteregie area south and east of Montreal, and on into New Brunswick, caused massive power outages. At the height of the disaster: More than 200 Quebec communities declared a disaster; 1,291,500 residences (affecting 3,228,750 people) were without power; 57 Ontario communities declared a disaster; 250,000 customers (1,500,000 people) were without power in Eastern Ontario.
Fatalities35
Injured / Infected945
Evacuated17800
Estimated Total Cost$4,635,720,433
Federal DFAA Payments$665,387,416
Provincial DFAA Payments$42,560,837
Provincial Department Payments$17,661,738
Municipal Costs$2,018,484,288
OGD Costs$166,306,876
Insurance Payments$1,712,248,000
NGO Payments$13,071,278
Utility - People Affected4828750
Magnitude0.0