By Michael Boriero
Quebecers are still feeling the aftermath of last week’s harrowing winter storm, as thousands of people remain without power on Wednesday, but despite the unceremonious holiday disruption, the mass blackout also brought rural communities closer together.
In Sutton, the impact of the blustering winter whiteout was felt throughout the entire town. Sarah Biggs, the front desk receptionist at town hall, told The Record she lost power at her home as of 7 a.m. on Friday. And it only came back three days later on Sunday evening.
This was a reality for most of the town, according to Biggs, which is why the municipal council decided to open a warming centre in the heart of Sutton — town hall. Biggs told The Record the entire municipal staff works on a shift rotation schedule during an emergency response.
“I was called in the following morning to assist with the warming centre the town hall was providing for local residents. That was a response that lasted about three days, so I was on the first shift from about 9 a.m. until about 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve,” Biggs explained on Wednesday.
