Toronto Hydro power restoration update

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) continues to work around the clock to restore power to the approximately 25,750 (9 per cent) customers who remain without power following the ice storm.

Crews are focussing on localized neighbourhoods, buildings, condominiums, and individual homes still without service. While significant progress has been made, customers who are still without power should be prepared for restoration to continue over the next few days.

Toronto Hydro, now with support from Hydro Ottawa, Sault St. Marie PUC, Enwin, Manitoba Hydro, Horizon Utilities, Sudbury Hydro, Brant County, Hydro One, City of Toronto Forestry, as well as several power line contractors, will continue to work 24 hours a day until all power is restored. More crews are expected to arrive tomorrow from Chatham and Norfolk County.

Public safety is always the utility's priority. Toronto Hydro urges the public to exercise extreme caution.  Please keep a safe distance from crews working in the area (at least 15 feet) as tree limbs and debris are falling, and ice as a result of the warmer temperature.

Toronto Hydro continues to closely monitor the weather.  If winds pick up, they could trigger more outages as already stressed branches and trees fall onto power lines.

Customers concerned that Toronto Hydro is reporting that their neighbourhood has been restored when their home is still without power are advised to do the following:

• Check to see if your neighbours have power. If they don't, it is likely that more work is to be done on your street.
• If your home is the only house without electricity, check your electrical panel inside the home to see if the breakers are in the "on" position.
• Check outside to see if the electrical equipment on your home is damaged or if the service wire is down.  If the wire is down, please stay back and contact a licensed ECRA/ESA electrical contractor.
• If you have completed the above and your power is still out, please report your outage to 416-542-8000.

The City of Toronto is still operating Reception centres, where those in need can access food, water, warmth and rest. For more information, please visit Toronto.ca

If you spot a downed wire, please stay back (at least 10 feet) and report it to Toronto Hydro's operations centre at 416-542-8000. For more information about household items to have on hand during a lengthy outage, please visit torontohydro.com/poweroutage

Electrical Safety Authority - esasafe.com
Twitter - twitter.com/torontohydro
Facebook - facebook.com/torontohydro
YouTube - youtube.com/torontohydro
Flickr - flickr.com/torontohydro

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Contact the Media Relations Hotline 
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited