More than 12,000 Manitoba Hydro customers have been heavily impacted by the storm system that rolled through the Red River Valley this morning, according to Scott Powell, a Manitoba Hydro spokesperson.

Power outages include approximately 1,760 customers in the Town of Altona, 1,100 in the R.M. of Rhineland, 2,000 in the City of Winkler, and 1,500 in the R.M. of Stanley.

The company anticipated the arrival of the storm so crews were able to start working last night and this morning.

"It's fairly widespread," Powell said. "Our crews are in the field right now working as quickly as they can to get everyone back on as soon as possible."

Repairs will depend on the nature of the outage, whether it was caused by a lightning strike or if there was a series of bursts affecting multiple hydro poles.

"Hopefully not too long but you never know," Powell said. "As we continue our assessments we'll have a better sense of when we'll be able to get power back on to everybody."