High winds knock out power to more than 87,000 Hydro One customers; over 57,000 remain without power

TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The windstorm that started yesterday afternoon caused power outages to more than 87,000 Hydro One customers. All available Hydro One crews are working to restore power to more than 57,000 customers that remain without power and crews from areas not impacted from the storm are mobilizing in the restoration effort.   

"This violent wind storm has caused widespread damage right across Southern Ontario," said Greg Towns, Director, Provincial Lines, Hydro One. "More than 1,200 employees from our lines and forestry crews are out in full force and we appreciate our customers' patience."

Hydro One also has five helicopters working to assess damage and move equipment.

Some of the major areas affected are listed below:

Area Affected

Number of Hydro One

Customers Affected

Arnprior

2,729

Aylmer

3,012

Bancroft

8,469

Beachville

2,600

Huntsville

4,992

Kent

6,632

Kingston

1,874

Minden

1,260

Nipissing

1,141

Orangeville

1,180

Owen Sound

2,942

Parry Sound

4,682

Penetang

1,044

Perth

2,265

Simcoe

2,972

Strathroy

1,004

Tweed

3,585

Power will be restored as soon as possible. Hydro One expects the majority of customers to have their power restored today, but some customers may be without power overnight.  For local update on estimated restoration times, customers can download the free Hydro One mobile app available on BlackBerry, iPhone and Android.

Important Safety Information

Hydro One strongly urges people to take extra precaution near fallen power lines. People are urged to report the location of the fallen wires to Hydro One as soon as possible. Touching a vehicle or a tree that is in contact with a power line can be fatal.

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.

SOURCE Hydro One Inc.

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.