Toronto Hydro encouraging emergency preparedness as one-year ice storm anniversary approaches

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Today marks the one-year anniversary of the ice storm that hit Toronto and the surrounding area hard, knocking out power for more than one million residents. Toronto Hydro is reminded of the tremendous efforts from staff last winter to restore power, along with the visible signs of good will and residents that came together to support one another.

To commemorate last year's ice storm, Toronto Hydro has assembled three extraordinary stories centring around that extraordinary event: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNig6WJlvp-T-QR186UEO_mcsRjvhzhbW

As we approach storm season, Toronto Hydro is encouraging its customers to be prepared for emergencies at home and at work. Here are some resources and tips that people can use in the event of a major outage.

• Stay informed by listening to local news media
• Access our Outage Centre at outageTO.com from any device to find the latest news and updates, and sign up for outage notifications
• Download our Emergency Preparedness Guide and get tips and techniques for being prepared and staying safe by visiting: torontohydro.com/beprepared
• If a storm is coming, charge all devices and update emergency contacts

"We've focused on improving customer communications through our phone system and the outage site," said Anthony Haines, President and CEO at Toronto Hydro, who also notes a number of operational improvements following last year's ice storm. "We're trying to be better prepared and we hope all Torontonians will also take steps to prepare for emergencies."

Toronto Hydro has completed or is in progress with all 22 recommendations from the independent Ice Storm Panel, and is working with the City of Toronto to assess and implement a number of recommendations from the July 2014 Council decision.

About Toronto Hydro

Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 736,000 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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Video with caption: "Video: We’ll never forget the 2013 ice storm or the special Torontonians who brightened up a dark time for the city.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zx6qFLcUIk

Video with caption: "Video: We’ll never forget the 2013 ice storm or the special Torontonians who brightened up a dark time for the city.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dibJjS_P2E8

Video with caption: "Video: We’ll never forget the 2013 ice storm or the special Torontonians who brightened up a dark time for the city.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQvlz1g9cDI

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Brian Buchan, Toronto Hydro, [email protected], T: 416-542-3550, C: 647-298-3648