Progress continues in Gravenhurst as 1,300 more customers have power

AJAX, ON, July 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Veridian emergency response crews continue to make good progress in restoring power to Gravenhurst businesses and residents affected by yesterday's severe thunderstorm. Service has been restored to approximately 1,300 additional customers over the past few hours. Almost 6,000 customers were without power immediately after the storm. About 2,700 customers continue to be without power.

According to Falguni Shah, Veridian's Power Restoration Coordinator, continued good progress is expected into the evening. "We've brought line staff and equipment in from Ajax and Belleville to work with local Gravenhurst service crews," she says. "They will work into the evening and we currently project that most areas of urban Gravenhurst will have power restored tonight. Some rural areas and island customers will likely continue to be without power until tomorrow."

The storm caused extensive damage to Veridian's electricity distribution lines, including broken poles and downed conductors due to widespread tree fall.

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