ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, March 8 (UPI) -- Power utility workers were busy in the easternmost Canadian province of Newfoundland Monday after a weekend ice and snow storm cut power to thousands of people.
The storm began Friday and brought rain and freezing temperatures that knocked out electricity to some 7,000 customers, The (St. John's) Telegram reported Monday.
By Monday morning, about 5,500 customers were still blacked out and Newfoundland Power said it could take until Tuesday evening to get everyone back on line, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
Hospitals canceled elective surgery and were functioning on generators as crews worked to replace wooden poles that snapped because of ice buildup, the report said.
Landline and cellphone service was also knocked out throughout much of the region.
Environment Canada said the Avalon Peninsula got as much as 4 inches of rain during the weekend and the northeast coast had up to 17 inches of snow.
There was no report of accidents or injuries associated with the storm.
