RRC Polytech cancels daytime classes as Manitoba Hydro crews work to restore power in southern Manitoba

Power has been out for communities across southern Manitoba on Tuesday morning afterthunderstorms moved through the region.

Crews are responding to a number of outages caused by the storm across southern parts of the province, Hydro said on social media Tuesday.

Manitoba Hydro's outage map shows outages in Winnipeg, the Ste. Agathe area, Morris and St. Jean Baptiste, affecting thousands of people. Power is expected to be restored later this morning, the website says.

The map also shows several other, smaller areas affected by outages. Specific estimated restoration times can be found on the outage map.

After first cancelling Tuesday morning classes at its Notre Dame campus due to the outages, Red River College Polytech saidafternoon classes are also cancelled.

Anyone currently on campus is asked to leave and work or study at an alternative location for the rest of the day.

A decision about evening classes is expected by 3 p.m., the school said in a notice to students.

Heavy storms can weaken tree branches, which can then fall and damage equipment, Manitoba Hydro spokesperson Peter Chura said in an email.

Anyone who sees a tree or branch on a power line should stay at least 10 metres away and call 911 immediately, he said.

Anyone wanting to report an outage can do so on Manitoba Hydro's website.