Newsroom

TORONTO, June 10, 2011 /CNW/ - Hydro One confirms it has now restored power to more than 110,000 customers following this week's severe thunderstorms which caused extensive damage to its distribution system from southwestern Ontario to the Kingston area. Approximately, 40,000 customers remain without power; the majority are expected to be restored over the next 24-hours. Some customers in more remote locations, seasonal cottages and island properties could remain without power until Sunday.

"We are now entering into the most difficult stage of our restoration effort working in densely treed areas, islands and off-road locations where one repair restores only a couple of properties," said Myles D'Arcey, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations. "As power is restored in one area, we will concentrate crews in areas where help is needed until everyone is back on."

The Company has 1,300 employees deployed from across the province assisting in the power restoration effort. Crews from other local utilities are helping Hydro One in the restoration effort including Hydro One Brampton, Kingston PUC, Newmarket PUC, Powerstream and Hydro Ottawa.

Hydro One continues to underscore the importance of staying clear of downed power lines. Even if a fallen wire seems dead, it can be dangerous. Touching a vehicle or a tree that is in contact with a power line can be fatal. To report a downed power line or hazard, please call our 24-hour power outage and emergency line at 1 800-434-1235.

Some of the main areas still affected by power outages are listed below:

For the most recent information on power outages and estimated times of restoration (ETRs) customers can visit www.HydroOne.com or call 1-800-434-1235. Photos of Hydro One crews repairing thunderstorm damage are now available at www.HydroOne.com. Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/HydroOne.

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 km high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 123,000 km low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.