Power restored to almost 99% of Toronto Hydro customers affected by storm

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro reports that electricity service has been restored to almost all of its customers affected by the damaging winds that occurred on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Repair crews have been working overnight and will continue restoration efforts throughout Wednesday to bring service to the remaining 700 customers.

Toronto Hydro estimates that more than 85 per cent of the outages that occurred were caused by tree limbs coming into contact with powerlines, poles and transformers. Toronto has a more dense and extensive tree canopy than other communities in the GTA, and this resulted in significant damage to Toronto Hydro's distribution system in many neighbourhoods. Toronto Hydro estimates that the cost of repairs could reach $1 million.

Localized outages affecting one or several houses at a time are being attended to by powerline crews. However, they are scattered across the city in relatively small pockets, which means that it will take time to reach all remaining customers. Toronto Hydro will continue to deploy all available crews until all customers are brought back in service.

Throughout the restoration process, smart meters helped improve the operations by confirming when power had been restored locally. Toronto Hydro sent test signals to select meters, and when the meters responded, Toronto Hydro knew that power had been restored to those locations.

Toronto Hydro expects to have most customers restored by end of day, although some small outages may last through until Thursday. Toronto Hydro is asking that customers call in to report only new outages.

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.

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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SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

After hours media (between 5PM - 8AM): 416-903-6845

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