Canada

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Drivers make their way through near whiteout conditions on Highway 12, southeast of Winnipeg, Thursday, Oct.4, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Thousands of people are waking up to no electricity this morning in southeast Manitoba after a snow storm hit the area.

Scott Powell of Manitoba Hydro says more than 4,600 customers are without power in and around Falcon Lake, Vita (vy-tah), Piney and Point Dubois.

Powell says strong winds, heavy snow and ice have downed power lines, and treacherous road conditions are making it tricky for workers to get in and fix the problems.

Brad Milne of Manitoba Infrastructure says there are travel advisories for area roads, including for the Trans-Canada Highway east of Highway 12.

He says driving conditions are poor and there's poor visibility due to blowing snow, especially near the Ontario boundary.

There are reports of vehicles in the ditch along roads and along the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway near Prawda.