Hydro One makes progress restoring power to customers in Midland; 7,500 customers have power restored

TORONTO, June 24 /CNW/ - Hydro One confirms it has restored power to approximately 7,500 customers following a tornado that touched down in the Midland area on Wednesday, June 23. Currently there are about 900 customers without power.

Last night Hydro One crews assessed the damage and secured the public from downed power lines. Additional crews were mobilized at first light today to remove fallen trees, replace downed poles and wires as well as the replace transformers.

110 Hydro One workers were dispatched at first light today to undertake the repair work. It is expected that the vast majority of customers will have their power restored today with the exception of remote or water access properties. The Company is also working with other local utilities, Midland Power Utility Corporate (PUC) and Powerstream in the restoration effort.

"We have made tremendous progress today restoring power to our customers," said Myles D'Arcey, Senior Vice President Customer Operations, Hydro One. "We will not release our crews in the area until we restore power to our remaining customers and assist other local utilities with their restoration efforts."

To view pictures of restoration efforts, please visit the Hydro One website at: http://www.hydroone.com/OurCompany/MediaCentre/PhotoGallery/Pages/default.aspx

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 123,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is a recipient of the Edison Electrical Institute Storm Restoration Award which recognizes excellence in power restoration. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.

For further information: Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our website is www.HydroOne.com