Toronto Hydro-Lert: Rain and high winds approaching

58% of Torontonians still do not have an emergency kit

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2013 /CNW/ - It is expected that rain and high winds will hit the city later this evening and Toronto Hydro will be providing updates via the online newsroom, as well as Twitter.  Public safety remains top priority and Toronto Hydro will be addressing those calls first, and reminds customers to stay clear of downed lines.

At this point call volume is at 110 per cent of normal volume for the day. Based on current conditions, the estimated time for crews to arrive onsite is 2.5 hours.  Based on the call volume, restoration time for all calls is approximately 3.75 hours.

As the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, it's likely that the city will see more storms like Sandy, extreme heat in summer, and heavy rains and flooding - as experienced in early July. However, according to a recent survey conducted by Toronto Hydro, almost half of Torontonians aren't prepared.

Almost 60 per cent of customers do not have an emergency preparedness kit.

An EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDE is available on the Toronto Hydro website.  This guide highlights necessary items needed, has a checklist for important phone numbers and contacts, and games and ideas to keep kids occupied in the dark. As well, see the video for at youtube.com/torontohydro.  Some of the key things people need to have in their kit include:

• Cash - in a widespread power outage bank machines and debit/credit machines may not be operational.
• Bottled water - three litres per person, per day.
• Canned food and a manual can opener.
• Battery operated radio for news updates.
• A car charger or back up battery for cell phones; follow @TorontoHydro on Twitter.

Our World. Our City. Our Responsibility. See what we are doing to be safe, reliable and sustainable at torontohydro.com/responsibility

Twitter - twitter.com/torontohydro
Facebook - facebook.com/torontohydro
YouTube - youtube.com/torontohydro
Flickr - flickr.com/torontohydro

Video with caption: "Video: Toronto Hydro-Lert: Rain and high winds approaching". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGALmZ1_XLk

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Toronto Hydro media line: 416-903-6845