Hydro One preparing for potential impact of high winds and heavy rain

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Hydro One's crews across southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe area are preparing to respond to any outages that may occur due to potential high winds and heavy rain forecasted by Environment Canada in the next 24 -48 hours.     

The Company's Ontario Grid Control Centre is monitoring the weather as it progresses and is following normal procedures in advance of any potential major outages caused by this type of weather system.

As with any outage, Hydro One's crews will endeavour to quickly and safely restore power to affected customers. Hydro One prioritizes work in such a way that restores power to the largest number of customers in the shortest period of time. 

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.

Tracking power outages

For outage updates, download Hydro One's free mobile app on smartphone and tablet devices. Customers can check the status of power outages anywhere in Hydro One's service area and receive helpful tips and news.

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.

An emergency preparedness kit should include:

• Water (recommend 2L per person/day)
• Canned or dried food that won't spoil
• A manual can opener
• Cash
• Windup or battery powered flashlight
• Windup or battery powered radio
• Extra batteries for your flashlight and radio
• Any medical items you require
• Blanket
• Candles and matches
• First aid kit
• Hydro One's emergency power outage hotline number – 1-800-434-1235. Ensure you have at least one corded phone at home; a cordless phone will not work in a power outage.
• Fully charged cell-phone

Keep your emergency kit in a backpack and make sure everyone in your home knows where to find it.

Hydro One Inc. is an electricity transmission and distribution company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario with approximately $23 billion in assets and 2014 revenues of over $6 billion. The company 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 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network and a 122,000 circuit km primary low-voltage distribution network. Hydro One Inc. is currently wholly-owned by the Province of Ontario.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

Our oral and written public communications, including this document, often contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and include beliefs and assumptions made by the management of our company. Such statements include, but are not limited to: statements related to OEB decisions, distribution rates and customer bills; statements regarding our planned work; and expectations regarding future expenditures. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "attempt," "may," "plan," "will", "can", "believe," "seek," "estimate," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

These forward-looking statements are based on a variety of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to the following: no unforeseen changes in the legislative and operating framework for Ontario's electricity market; no severe damage to our facilities caused by adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or catastrophic events; anticipated numbers of new customers and renewable energy projects materializing; availability of required services and/or materials;   a stable regulatory environment; and no significant event occurring outside the ordinary course of business. These assumptions are based on information currently available to us, including information obtained from third party industry analysts. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among other things: severe weather conditions, natural disasters or catastrophic events; an inability to procure required services and/or materials; and the risk that anticipated numbers of new customers and renewable energy projects do not materialize.

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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.