Crews work through the night to restore electricity to remaining 4,500 customers without power

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) crews are continuing restoration efforts through the night to bring power back to 4,500 customers still affected by the storm that swept through the City on Monday night. Once repairs are made to one major power line, the bulk of these customers will be restored. The primary area affected currently is bounded by: Talwood Drive (north), Eglinton Ave E (south), Bayview Ave (west) and Don Mills Rd (east).  Remaining crews are turning their attention to restore outages that affect the greatest number of customers first. Localized outages, or secondary lines, affecting one or two houses will be a secondary priority.

Toronto Hydro estimates that more than 85 per cent of outages were caused by tree contacts with power line. This is due to Toronto's mature and plentiful tree canopy. The necessary repairs to the system will cost Toronto Hydro an estimated $1 million; a price tag that other utilities in the GTA will be spared as tree canopies in neighbouring jurisdictions are not comparable in density, size or maturity.

Toronto Hydro expects to have most customers restored by end of day Wednesday, although some outages may last through until Thursday morning. As repairs continue, the utility is using customer smart meters to expedite restoration efforts by communicating with the meters to confirm that power has been restored locally.  If a signal is received from the meter, that power out call is removed from the log.

Electrical emergencies and power outages should be reported to Toronto Hydro at 416-542-8000. Customers can expect updates from Toronto Hydro via Twitter (@TorontoHydro), on torontohydro.com, through the media or by calling 416-542-8000.

Outage Resources:
Preparing your home for an outage
Emergency Management Ontario

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.

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Image with caption: "Toronto tree canopy (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121030_C3430_PHOTO_EN_19869.jpg

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

After hours media (after 5PM): 416-903-6845

Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro-Electric System
[email protected] 
W: 416-542-2621
C: 416-903-0440