Prolonged Power Outages Raise Safety Concerns in Newfoundland

Residents of Englee, located on Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, faced significant disruptions this week as power was restored after an outage lasting approximately **42 hours**. The outage began on **Monday, March 4, 2024**, at **21:00 NT** and was not resolved until **Wednesday, March 6, 2024**, at about **14:00 NT**. The incident has raised serious safety concerns among community members, particularly among emergency responders.

Volunteer fire captain **Michelle Wells** expressed her anxiety over the extended outage, noting that it could have dire consequences during an emergency. “If anybody ended up with a fire, they’d have no way to reach us,” Wells stated. The power loss affected thousands of customers of **Newfoundland Power** and **Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro** as hurricane-force winds battered the region during a snowstorm.

Many residents across Newfoundland reported similar concerns regarding the reliability of communication systems during outages. Wells highlighted the limitations of existing cellular infrastructure. “A lot of places in Newfoundland now don’t even have cell service,” she said. “And it’s getting worse every day instead of better every day.” This lack of connectivity exacerbates the situation, particularly during emergencies when reliable communication is critical.

Community Safety at Risk

Wells explained that her pager, which is essential for her role as a volunteer firefighter, relies on a functioning phone line. With the power down and cellular signals weak, the risk increases for communities that depend on timely emergency responses. “If we’re here and our power’s gone in an emergency, just hope and pray that our phones are going to reach **911** or a neighbour,” she added.

The issue of poor cellular service has been underscored by community leaders in recent years, notably during a **fatal plane crash near Deer Lake** in **July 2023**. This incident highlighted the critical need for improved communication networks in rural areas of the province. Wells also expressed concern over other potential emergencies that could arise during the outage, such as water freezing or food spoilage. “Not much sleep Tuesday night thinking about what I might have to face when I got back today,” she reflected.

Community members have voiced their frustrations, emphasizing the urgent need for enhancements to the electrical and cellular infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador. With severe weather events becoming more frequent, residents feel that preparedness and response capabilities must evolve to ensure safety and security.

As the province deals with the aftermath of this power outage, discussions around improving infrastructure and emergency response systems are more critical than ever. The reliance on technology for communication and safety is evident, and many residents hope for swift action to address these vulnerabilities.

For those affected, the experience has been a wake-up call about the importance of reliable services in maintaining community safety and well-being.