A hydro pole in front of the Port Elgin Cinemas buckled November 9 from the added strain of feeder and distribution power lines.

Hub Staff

At close to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 9 an older spruce tree in Port Elgin’s downtown succumbed to a west wind with 60 km/h gusts and came down, bringing power lines, poles, and transformers with it.

As a result many Westario Power customers in Port Elgin and an isolated number in Southampton experienced a power outage, and movies were interrupted at the Port Elgin Cinemas with patrons not able to retrieve their cars and had to be led to safety by the Saugeen Shores Fire Department.

Under the strain of holding up several feeder and distribution power lines, a pole in front of the cinemas buckled, but didn't break, and was removed. The lines are operated by Hydro One and Westario Power, and the pole was a relatively new one that was replaced in 2014 following a car accident on the southwest corner of the busy intersection of River and Goderich streets.

Westario Power crews held the fort through the night Thursday with support from Hydro One. On Friday a rescue team from Hyline Utility Solutions arrived from Strathroy to conduct repairs. Power was restored to most of the affected customers Friday afternoon with approximately 15 remaining residents close to the scene still without power through the evening. Westario Power reported through their Facebook page that power had been restored to all customers as of 23:59 p.m.

An older spruce tree in downtown Port Elgin came down November 9 bringing power lines, poles, and transformers with it.

The pole at the corner of Goderich and River Street had been replaced in 2013 following a car accident.

Hyline Utility Solutions arrived on the scene Friday to complete repairs and restore power to residents.