Just trying to survive: Some Ontarians still reeling from ice storm, power outages [Video]

Prolonged power outages after spring storms could extend into next week in some Ontario communities, officials said Friday, as one Orillia-area resident described the aftermath of last weekend’s ice storm as a “war zone.”

Hydro One’s latest update on electricity restoration came as Premier Doug Ford visited some of the areas hardest hit by the powerful storm that left behind downed trees and broken hydro poles in central and eastern Ontario.

The ice storm caused severe damage in cities such as Orillia and Peterborough, while another storm system that moved through parts of Ontario mid-week caused additional scattered outages and slowed down restoration efforts.

Restoration was set to continue through the weekend, but it could take longer for remote areas, Hydro One said Friday. The utility said electricity has been restored to 89 per cent of customers but about 140,000 were still without power.

Among them was Jon Wagner, who …