Power restoration work continues in Gravenhurst as 650 more customers have power

AJAX, ON, July 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Veridian emergency response crews, with assistance from Whitby Hydro, K-Line Group and contractor staff, continue power restoration work in the Town of Gravenhurst following last Friday's severe thunderstorm. Service has been restored to approximately 5,300 customers while 850 are still without power.

Friday's storm caused extensive damage to Veridian's electricity distribution lines, including broken poles and downed conductors due to widespread tree fall. The storm resulted in the loss of electricity to all of Veridian's 6,000-plus Gravenhurst customers. Power was restored to most urban areas of the community over the weekend, but customers in areas hardest hit by the winds and heavy rain in outlying areas continue to be affected.

Veridian has suspended much of its regular work in other parts of its service areas and has redeployed work crews to Gravenhurst. In total, the utility has 37 - five more than yesterday - committed to the Gravenhurst area. It is currently projected that it may take another two to three days before the majority of affected residents have their power restored, and up to a week for others.

Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution around damaged poles and downed wires. All fallen wires should be considered live and dangerous. Residents are urged to report the locations of fallen wires to Veridian's 24-hour Outage Hotline by calling 1-866-579-6819.

Veridian Connections Inc. safely and reliably delivers electricity to more than 116,000 customers in the Cities of Pickering and Belleville, the Towns of Ajax, Port Hope and Gravenhurst, and the communities of Uxbridge, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono, Port Perry, Beaverton, Sunderland and Cannington. Veridian Connections Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Veridian Corporation. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation.

SOURCE: Veridian

Chris Mace
Sales & PR Representative - Corporate Communications
Veridian Connections Inc.
905-427-9870, extension 2218