TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Severe thunderstorms that started Friday afternoon and moved quickly across the province along with a tornado in eastern Ontario have caused power outages to about 350,000 Hydro One customers.
Hydro One crews were out in full force and have restored power to more than half of the customers affected by the storm, with 130,000 customers currently without power. The tornado has caused extensive damage to our transmission system and equipment in the Ottawa area, which is affecting Hydro Ottawa. This area is a major focus of the restoration effort, which is expected to take several days. Elsewhere across the province, crews are facing damage from downed power lines, trees and snapped poles.
"We have made significant progress despite the weather, but there is still a lot of work to be done," said Greg Kiraly, Chief Operating Officer, Hydro One. "We have every available crew working to restore power to customers affected by this devastating storm and tornado. We expect customers in the hardest hit areas will be without power for several days and want to thank our customers for their patience during this time. We have a full contingent of crews out working to get their lights back on."
All crews, which include damage assessors, line maintainers, foresters and technicians, have been mobilized to respond to outages. As power restoration work is completed in one area, associated crews are dispatched to new areas needing their attention. Hydro One is also receiving assistance from neighbouring utilities.
Customers looking for information on power outages can call 1-800-434-1235, download the free Hydro One power outage app or visit www.HydroOne.com/stormcenter. Customers can also register to receive proactive personalized text or email alerts about power outages. Hydro One is the first utility in Canada to offer this service. Customers can register for Outage Alerts online at www.HydroOne.com/MyAccount.
Hydro One reminds all customers to restock their 72- hour emergency preparedness kit. The kit should contain:
- Windup or battery-powered flashlight
- Windup or battery-powered radio
- Batteries for your flashlight and radio
- Water (recommend 2 litres per person/day)
- Canned or dried food that won't spoil
- Manual can opener
- Cash and any medical items you require
- Blanket
- Candles and matches
- First Aid Kit
- Portable charger for cell phone
About Hydro One:
We are Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, over C$25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly C$6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. We are one of only six utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network through Hydro One Telecom Inc. Hydro One Limited'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.
