Toronto Hydro works to restore remaining 10 per cent of customers still without power

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) is working around the clock to restore power to the remaining 10 per cent (approximately 32,480) of customers who remain without power following the ice storm.

At the height of the storm, approximately 300,000 customers were impacted and Toronto Hydro, now with support from Hydro Ottawa, Sault St. Marie PUC, Enwin, Manitoba Hydro, Horizon Utilities, Sudbury Hydro, 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.

Crews are focussing on streets and individual homes still affected by outages. While significant progress has been made, customers who are still without power should be prepared for restoration to continue over the next few days.

The utility is closely monitoring the weather.  If winds pick up, they could trigger more outages as already stressed branches and trees fall onto power lines. Toronto Hydro urges the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid standing under or near tree limbs.

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

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SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

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