High winds continue to cause power outages in southern and central Ontario
TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Freezing rain and blowing snow caused power outages on Saturday in Thunder Bay, Nipigon and Geraldton areas and affected central Ontario on Sunday. As crews mobilized and made repairs, high winds continued to cause outages for customers in the region. Hydro One crews have responded to more than 400 incidents, affecting 55,000 customers.
"Hydro One crews worked tirelessly through snow squalls, road closures and high winds to restore power to our customers affected by the first snow storm," said Greg Kiraly, Chief Operating Officer, Hydro One Inc. "Our highly skilled workers have completed restoration in the north and now our attention shifts to southern and central Ontario where high winds are expected to continue throughout the day."
Lucy Bonanno, CEO of the Geraldton District Hospital, referred to Hydro One staff as "angels on the lines," saying "they have a dangerous job and we are grateful for Hydro One's frontline crews."
More than 3,000 customers remain without power in the Bancroft, Huntsville, Nipissing and Parry Sound areas. With high winds in the forecast today, Hydro One is ready to respond if more outages occur. Hydro One's Grid Control Centre tracks incoming storms and the company is able to quickly mobilize line maintainers, arbourists, damage assessors and helicopters to locate damage and restore power.
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. To report an outage, please call Hydro One's emergency power outage hotline number 1-800-434-1235.
For outage updates, download Hydro One's free mobile app on smartphone and tablet devices. Customers can check the status of power outages anywhere in Hydro One's service area. Customers can also register to receive proactive personalized text or email alerts about power outages affecting their local area. Hydro One is the first utility in Canada to offer this service. Customers can register for Outage Alerts online at HydroOne.com/MyAccount.
About Hydro One Inc.:
Hydro One Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, $24.8 billion in assets and revenues of over $6.5 billion. Our team of 5,500 skilled and dedicated employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only four utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Energy Company designation from the Canadian Electrical Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network. Hydro One's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H). For more information about everything Hydro One, please visit www.HydroOne.com.
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SOURCE Hydro One Inc.
