High winds continue to affect Hydro One's distribution system

- Over 85,000 Hydro One customers without power -

TORONTO, Dec. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - High winds that started this morning across central and northern Ontario continue to affect Hydro One's distribution system. There are currently over 315 incidents affecting over 85,000 customers.

Where safe, Hydro One crews are out assessing damage and starting repairs.  It is expected that the number of customers affected by these storms will increase as the weather system continues to move east. A number of the hardest hit areas noted below will have customers that remain without power overnight.

Areas with over 1,000 customers affected include:

Area Affected	Number of Hydro One Customers Affected
Algoma	3,339
Bancroft	1,641
Bracebridge	20,178
Cobden	5,465
Huntsville	10,893
Kirkland Lake	4,646
New Liskeard	2,581
Nipissing	11,069
Orleans	1,967
Parry Sound	2,667
Perth	1,014
Sudbury	10,397
Thunder Bay	1,009
Timmins	16,960
Tweed	1,802
Winchester	7,566

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 and news.

What to do in a power outage

If the power system in your area is affected by bad weather, be sure to stay clear of any fallen power lines. 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.

Household preparedness

Hydro One wants to remind you and your family of the importance of being prepared in case of an extended power outage caused by severe weather.

Our emergency preparedness video is a great tool to help ensure you and your family are prepared in the event of an extended outage.                               

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.

Video with caption: "VIDEO: Emergency Preparedness Video". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mghrs9g37Fo&feature=youtube_gdata

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.