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-Power restored to more than 108,000 customers, 12,400 to go

TORONTO, March 27, 2016 /CNW/ - With clear weather, Hydro One crews have repaired the majority of the damage caused by the ice storm that battered Ontario late Thursday and Friday and knocked out power to more than 125,000 customers.

"It's tough going out there but our customers have given us awesome support. A bunch of kids came out and gave one of my crews a box of Timbits to say thank you for restoring power," said Barry Coyle, Superintendent, Orangeville Operations. "It makes you feel proud to wear your orange jacket when customers show appreciation."

"Customers are seeing utility trucks from out of their areas and they know that crews are doing everything they can. They can see that in some areas, where the poles are snapped and the lines are all ripped up, we are rebuilding the system from the ground up," said Bill Smeaton, Assistant Director, Provincial Lines. "It doesn't make it any easier for families to wait, especially on Easter, they understand and they are really supporting us."

A workforce of more than 1200 is out in force this holiday weekend, with Hydro One crews and neighbouring utility partners working together to restore power to the remaining 12,400 customers in the areas that have been hit the hardest.

Through mutual assistance agreements, Hydro One is receiving assistance from the following local distribution companies to help restore power to customers as quickly as possible: Halton Hills Hydro, Haldimand County Hydro, Festival Hydro, Woodstock Hydro, Erie Thames Powerlines, Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc., Hydro Ottawa, Hydro One Brampton, Peterborough PUC, Midland PUC, Sudbury Hydro. At this time, there are 673 incidents affecting over 12,400 customers. Updates on outages in the most affected areas are listed below:

Tracking power outages

For outage updates, download Hydro One's free mobile app on smartphone and tablet devices or check the online outage map at HydroOne.com. Customers can check the status of power outages anywhere in Hydro One's service area and receive helpful tips.

Safety concerns

If you spot a fallen line, keep at least 10 metres back, even if it does not appear to be live. Report it to the police and call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.  Safety is at the core of everything Hydro One employees do. Not only are our crews trained in First Aid, every Hydro One vehicle is equipped with a First Aid kit. 

About the Company

The Company is Ontario's largest electrical transmission and distribution utility with approximately $23 billion in assets and 2014 revenues of over $6 billion. The Company's regulated transmission and distribution operations are owned by Hydro One Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  Hydro One Inc. delivers electricity safely and reliably to over 1.2 million customers across the province of Ontario, and to large industrial customers and municipal utilities.  Hydro One Inc. owns and operates Ontario's approximately 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network and an approximately 122,000 circuit km primary low-voltage distribution network. 

SOURCE Hydro One Inc.