How to prepare for an ice storm in Ontario
Short answer: Ice storms knock out power for days, not hours. In the 48 hours before freezing rain, charge every battery, fill water containers, fuel the car, check your 72-hour kit and move your car away from trees and power lines.
Why ice storms are different
Freezing rain coats trees and power lines in ice until branches and poles break. In the March 2025 ice storm in central and eastern Ontario, more than 600,000 Hydro One customers lost power, and some people in central Ontario, including around Orillia, waited more than a week for it to come back. Roads were blocked by fallen trees and cell service was patchy, so plan to be self-sufficient for several days.
48 hours before the storm
- Charge everything: phones, power banks, a rechargeable lantern, headlamps, a rechargeable hand warmer and USB-C AA batteries.
- Fill water jugs and the bathtub (for flushing), and fill the car's gas tank.
- Check your 72-hour kit against our power outage checklist.
- Get some cash, refill prescriptions and stock food that needs no cooking.
- Turn the freezer to its coldest setting and fill empty space with jugs of water.
- Park away from trees and power lines, and bring in patio furniture and bins.
- Put a crank radio where you can find it, and note your local AM/FM news station.
During the storm
- Stay off the roads unless you must travel.
- Stay at least 10 metres from downed lines and anything touching them, and report them to your utility or 911.
- Never bring a generator, barbecue or camp stove indoors or into the garage.
- Keep one room warm: close doors, hang blankets over windows, and wear layers and a tuque.
- Leave battery motion lights, such as rechargeable cabinet lights, in the hallway and bathroom so nobody trips in the dark.
After the ice
- Watch for falling ice and branches, and stay clear of damaged trees.
- Sidewalks and driveways stay glazed for days. Ice cleats over your boots give grip on ice and packed snow.
- Check on neighbours, especially older people living alone.
- Throw out food that has thawed or warmed, then recharge and restock your kit.
Quick answers
How long can power be out after an ice storm in Ontario?
It can be days or longer. In the March 28 to 30, 2025 ice storm, more than 600,000 Hydro One customers lost power, and some households in central Ontario, including around Orillia, were without power for more than a week.
What should I do in the 48 hours before freezing rain?
Charge phones, power banks, lanterns and rechargeable batteries, fill water containers, fill the gas tank, check your 72-hour kit, get cash, and bring in or tie down anything loose outside.
How far should I stay from a downed power line?
Stay at least 10 metres back, about the length of a school bus, assume it is live, and call your local utility or 911.
Sources
- 2025 Annual Report, Hydro One
- Ice storm one year later, OrilliaMatters
- Power outages: how to prepare, Government of Canada
This guide is general information, not professional safety advice. Always follow official alerts and instructions from local authorities.
