Hydro Ottawa crews face extensive damage to power grid after devastating storm
OTTAWA, Sept. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Hydro Ottawa crews, contractors and utility partners are working 24/7 to restore power to more than 137,000 customers.
The tornado, high winds and thunderstorms that surged through the Ottawa region late Friday have caused significant damage to both the local and provincial electricity grids. All available crews and contractors are now working to restore power. There are more than 200 separate power outages across the service territory, and restoration efforts are expected to last days.
Hydro Ottawa is working with our partners at Hydro One to restore power at their Merivale substation, which suffered extensive damage and supplies a large portion of Nepean.
The public is asked to stay back at least 10 metres and call 9-1-1 immediately should they encounter fallen electrical infrastructure. They are also asked to keep a safe distance from crews as they work on energizing the power grid to ensure public safety.
Ottawa's electrical grid has not sustained such extensive damage since the Ice Storm of 1998. Our crews are working diligently to ensure public safety and restore power as soon as possible. Power will be restored initially to large scale outages, followed by smaller ones, keeping safety as the number one priority.
Due to the widespread nature of the outages, Hydro Ottawa's website and outage phone number, 613-738-0188 are both experiencing heavy usage. Customers are encouraged to continue trying to access these channels, or to follow @hydroottawa on Twitter.
Customers can access information by calling 613-738-0188, at www.hydroottawa.com/outages,
About Hydro Ottawa
Hydro Ottawa delivers electricity to more than 332,000 homes and businesses in Ottawa and Casselman. For 100 years, Hydro Ottawa has reliably supplied its customers with power, building and investing in the local electric grid. Proudly municipally owned, Hydro Ottawa contributes to the well-being of the community we serve. Its innovative services help customers manage their account and energy use.
SOURCE Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
Rebecca Hickey, Supervisor, Media and Public Affairs, Hydro Ottawa, Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 2345, [email protected]
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