Crews focused on massive repair job to bring the lights back
TORONTO, March 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Hydro One advised today that melting ice falling from trees has resulted in new and additional damage to its system today. This additional storm damage has hampered crews' efforts to restore power to customers affected by the ice storm that hit southwestern and central Ontario on the Easter Weekend.
"Our customers see the conditions and the damage and they know how much heavy lifting it takes to get the lights back on," said John Hamilton, Grid Operations Manager, who is coordinating Hydro One's response from the Ontario Grid Control Centre in Barrie. "It's been a real struggle today for the crews because new incidents are coming in as quickly as we can repair the damage. We're going to keep going until we restore power to the last customer -- we know people are counting on us."
A workforce of more than 1200 has reported for duty this holiday weekend, with Hydro One crews and neighbouring utility partners working together to restore power to the remaining 40,000 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: Haldimand Hydro, Festival Hydro, Woodstock Hydro, Erie Thames Hydro, Niagara Peninsula Hydro, Ottawa Hydro, Brampton Hydro One, Peterborough PUC, Midland PUC, Sudbury Hydro, and Newmarket Hydro.
At present, there are 955 incidents impacting approximately 32000 customers. Areas most affected are listed below:
| Area Affected |
Number of Hydro One |
| Alliston |
10 000 |
| Barrie |
3100 |
| Guelph |
4700 |
| Listowel |
4700 |
| Orangeville |
8000 |
| Owen Sound |
1000 |
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.
contact 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.
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