32,000 Torontonians remain without power due to Hurricane Sandy - Update #5
TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) crews are working to restore power to as many customers as possible today following the storm damage that impacted Toronto's electricity grid. The damage was most severe at 4 a.m. this morning, with more than 60,000 without electricity in Toronto. Currently, over 300 outages affecting approximately 32,000 customers are ongoing.
Strong winds brought down trees, branches and power lines across the city. Areas of the city hardest hit continue to be East York, Scarborough, Upper Beaches, Leaside and the Junction.
In the downtown, approximately 5,000 customers remain without power. To the east of the city, approximately 12,000 are affected and to the west, approximately 15,000 remain out.
Today, crews are working to remove safety hazards associated with downed wires and trees, conducting full damage assessments, coordinating extensive repairs, and are restoring power where possible.
Outages that affect the greatest number of customers will be restored first. Localized outages affecting one or two houses will be addressed following the restoration of main supply lines. Weather conditions may hamper efforts today and customers should prepare to be without power for most of the day and into tomorrow.
Residents without power are asked to prepare for a lengthy service interruption. Please also check on any at-risk family and neighbours.
Toronto Hydro is reminding people to stay away (at least 10 metres back) from downed power lines, damaged poles and equipment as it may be energized. Electrical emergencies and power outages should be reported to Toronto Hydro at 416-542-8000.
Customers who have already reported their outage can be assured that their call has been logged and a crew will be assigned as soon as possible. Kindly refrain from calling to report the outage again. This will help Toronto Hydro hear from customers who have not yet reported an outage. If customers have a new outage to report, call 416-542-8000, available 24 hours per day.
Once power is restored, Toronto Hydro will leverage technologies like smart meters, to check that power has been restored.
Customers can expect continuous updates from Toronto Hydro via Twitter (@TorontoHydro), on torontohydro.com, and through the media. A voice message update is also available should customers wish to call 416-542-8000.
Outage Resources:
Preparing your home for an outage
About Toronto Hydro
The principal business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries is the distribution of electricity by Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 712,000 customers located in the City of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in the Province of Ontario.
Twitter - twitter.com/torontohydro
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SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation
Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro-Electric System
[email protected]
W: 416-542-2621
C: 416-903-0440
After hours media (after 5PM): 416-903-6845
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