Infopanne Hydro Québec Guide: Using Info-pannes to Track Your Outage
When the power goes out in Quebec, Info-pannes is Hydro-Québec’s official tool for checking outages. It shows where outages are, how many customers are affected and when power should return. Knowing how to read it takes the guesswork out of a stormy night. This guide shows how to check an outage at your address and set up app alerts. It also covers reporting a problem and official safety advice. Finally, it looks at realistic backup for homes with electric heat.
What Is Info-pannes and What Does It Show?
Info-pannes is Hydro-Québec's outage section. It combines a live outage map, online reporting and outage features in the mobile app. Each part helps you decide whether to wait, report or prepare.
The Ongoing Outages Map
The map displays current outages and planned interruptions across the province. Hydro-Québec says selecting an outage shows:
Expected restoration time: Hydro-Québec's current estimate for when power should return.
Crew status: Where the work stands, from diagnosis to repairs.
Customers affected: How many accounts are without power in that area.
Cause: Listed when it is known.
Hydro-Québec notes that outage areas are approximate, and some outages may not appear at all. Treat the map as a guide, not a guarantee.
The Status by Region Page
Info-pannes also has a Status by region page. It lists each Quebec region with its number of interruptions and customers without electricity. You can drill down to your municipality from there. The regional summary shows the number of service interruptions and affected addresses across Quebec. Newly reported outages may take time to appear, and some outages may not be shown on the map.
Customer counts refer to accounts, not people, so the number of people affected is higher. When a cause is listed, it is often weather. High winds, freezing rain and falling trees are among the usual triggers of Quebec power outages, along with animals and equipment failures.
Once you know what Info-pannes shows, the next step is finding your own home on it.
How to Check a Hydro-Québec Outage at Your Address
Checking your address takes a minute on a phone or computer. The map suits a quick look, while the app sends updates without refreshing.
Checking on the Map
Open Info-pannes on the Hydro-Québec website and choose the ongoing outages map.
Zoom in on your neighbourhood until you can see your street.
Select the outage area that covers your address.
Read the restoration estimate, crew status and cause in the listing.
If your home is dark but no outage appears, check your electrical panel before reporting.
Saving Addresses and Getting Notifications in the App
The free Hydro-Québec app is on the App Store and Google Play. You can save addresses such as your home, a cottage or a parent's place. You then get notifications about outages and planned interruptions there. The app also shows the steps involved in restoring service.
Reading the Restoration Estimate
Hydro-Québec describes its restoration time as an estimate. During a major weather event, it changes as crews learn more about the damage. Here is the general sequence Hydro-Québec follows.
Step | What happens | Why the estimate may change |
Remote restoration | Hydro-Québec tries to restore service from a distance | Quick fixes can bring power back sooner |
On-site inspection | A line worker goes on site to find the cause | Bad weather or hard-to-reach areas slow this step |
Assessment | The damage and needed repairs are evaluated | Bigger damage means a longer timeline |
Crew scheduling | The right team is assigned to make repairs | Work can range from trimming branches to replacing equipment |
Restoration priorities can also shift with municipal needs or requests from public safety officials. Short outages often clear within hours, though how long outages tend to last depends on the cause and the extent of damage.
A long restoration estimate is a good moment to think about what in your home truly needs power.
Keeping Essentials Running When Restoration Takes Hours
A long estimate on Info-pannes changes your priorities. Many Quebec homes heat with electricity, often through baseboard heaters. That reality shapes what any backup system can realistically do.
Why Whole-Home Electric Heat Is Hard to Back Up
Electric baseboards across a whole house draw a lot of power for many hours. A home battery can't realistically cover that, so choose selected essentials instead. That might mean the fridge and freezer, some lights, the internet router, phone charging and a sump or well pump.
If heat is a priority, a qualified electrician can assess whether one heating circuit fits your system. Sizing a battery for essential loads starts with listing these devices and their power draw. Runtime always depends on the total load you connect.
Home Battery Options for Selected Essentials
A home battery runs quietly indoors with no exhaust, so it avoids the carbon monoxide risk of fuel-burning equipment.
For households that want to back up selected essential circuits through a long outage, the TITAN 5000 Plus offers the most headroom. Its higher solar input can help recharge during multi-day events when the sun is out.
The TITAN 5000 offers 7.2kW at 120V/240V for selected circuits. It suits homes that need less solar input but still want room to add capacity.
Plug-in devices run directly from either unit. Home circuits and hard-wired appliances need the compatible Smart Home Panel 10 (SHP10), installed by a qualified electrician. SHP10 covers up to 10 selected circuits, not every appliance at once. Keep units indoors in a dry spot. Neither is meant to run whole-home electric heat for days.
With essentials covered, the next question is what to do when Info-pannes shows nothing for your home.
How to Report an Outage or a Downed Line to Hydro-Québec
Not every outage shows up on the map right away. Reporting helps Hydro-Québec find the problem faster, and the right channel depends on the situation.
Check Your Panel First
If only part of your home has no power, the cause may be an overload or short circuit. Find the tripped breaker in your electrical panel and reset it. If the problem continues, owners should call Hydro-Québec. Tenants should tell their landlord or building superintendent.
Choosing How to Report
Situation | What to do |
No power and nothing on the map | Report online through Info-pannes or in the Hydro-Québec app |
You prefer to speak to someone | Call 1 800 790-2424, available 24/7 |
Damaged mast or gooseneck, or a meter pulled from its socket | Don't touch it. Tenants tell the landlord; owners call a master electrician for repairs |
Fire, road accident, severed lines within reach, or a life in danger | Call 911 |
Staying Safe Around Downed Lines
Hydro-Québec warns of a real danger of serious electric shock from damaged equipment. Always assume a fallen line is live. Keep people and pets well back, and call 911 if wires are severed or within reach. After an ice storm, branches loaded with freezing rain can bring down lines hours after the weather has passed. Never try to move a line or a branch touching one.
Reporting is only part of the job, though. The Quebec government also has clear advice for each stage of an outage.
Quebec Government Advice Before, During and After an Outage
The Québec.ca power outage page explains what to do while you wait. It pairs well with Info-pannes, which tells you when power may return. Here are the key points, grouped by stage.
Before an Outage
Charge phones and devices as soon as harsh weather is in the forecast.
Keep a flashlight, spare batteries, a battery-powered radio and a warm blanket handy.
Use Info-pannes for outages, Québec 511 for roads and MétéoCAN for weather, and sign up for municipal alerts.
Install and test a carbon monoxide detector if you have a wood fireplace or gas space heater.
Getting your home ready for winter outages also means stocking water, food and warm layers well before a storm. The Government of Canada's power outage page recommends being ready for at least 72 hours.
During an Outage
Turn off appliances that were running, such as the stove, kettle, dishwasher and dryer.
Unplug computers and TVs to protect them from a surge when power returns.
Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Québec.ca says the fridge stays cold for about 4 to 6 hours.
Leave one light on per floor so you know when power is back.
During long outages, ask your municipality about warming centres and charging locations.
Check on neighbours who live alone or may need help.
Carbon Monoxide and Generator Safety
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas with no colour or smell, and only a detector can sense it. Never use fuel space heaters, barbecues, camping stoves or generators indoors, including garages. A fuel generator belongs outside, away from doors and windows. Hydro-Québec adds that a permanent home backup system needs a master electrician and a transfer switch. If a CO alarm sounds, leave right away and call 911.
After the Power Returns
Restart appliances gradually, including baseboard heaters.
Check food that sat without power for more than 6 hours before eating it.
Don't reopen a gas supply yourself. Have a qualified person do it.
Replace any items you used from your emergency kit.
Conclusion
Info-pannes gives Quebec households a clear view of current outages, crew progress and restoration estimates. Saving your addresses in the Hydro-Québec app adds timely alerts. Knowing when to report online, call 1 800 790-2424 or dial 911 keeps everyone safer. Whole-home electric heat is hard to back up, so planning for selected essentials is the practical choice. EcoFlow TITAN home batteries can support that plan, from plug-in devices to selected circuits.
FAQs
Is Infopanne Hydro Québec the Same as the Hydro-Québec Outage Map?
Yes. Info-pannes is the official name of Hydro-Québec's outage section. It includes the ongoing outages map, the Status by region page and online reporting.
What Number Do I Call to Report a Power Outage in Quebec?
Call Hydro-Québec at 1 800 790-2424, which is available 24/7. Call 911 for fires, road accidents, severed lines within reach or any threat to life.
Why Is My Outage Not Showing on Info-pannes?
The Status by region page updates every 15 minutes, so new outages can take time to appear. Some outages may never show on the map. Check your breaker panel, then report it.
Why Does the Restoration Time on Info-pannes Keep Changing?
The time is an estimate. During major events, Hydro-Québec updates it as crews assess the damage. More damage usually means a longer timeline.
Can a Home Battery Keep My Baseboard Heaters Running During an Outage?
Not across a whole house for long. Baseboard heat draws a lot of power over many hours, so a home battery suits selected essentials better.