Hydro One restores power to more than 300,000 customers; 82,000 currently without power as storm moves east

TORONTO, April 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The storm that started this weekend caused more than two hundred broken poles and downed power lines. It has now moved into eastern Ontario and continues to cause power outages. Hydro One crews have restored power to more than 300,000 customers but expects customers in parts of the province to be without power overnight and potentially into Wednesday. Currently about 82,000 customers are without power.

"As this storm system continues to cause outages, our crews are out in full force doing whatever they can to get the power back on for our valued customers," said Greg Kiraly, Chief Operating Officer with Hydro One. "We appreciate the support we've received from our customers and know they are depending on us to help get life back to normal and we won't stop until we do that."

All available Hydro One crews are working to restore the damage.  Additional staff is being sourced from neighbouring utilities to bolster the restoration efforts, as they become available after restoring their own systems. In addition to its own crews, Hydro One is receiving power restoration support from London Hydro, Entegrus, Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. and Centre Wellington Hydro.

Currently areas most affected include (as of 3 p.m.):

Customers looking for information on power outages can call 1-800-434-1235, download the free Hydro One power outage app or visit www.HydroOne.com/stormcenter. Customers can also register to receive proactive personalized text or email alerts about power outages at HydroOne.com/MyAccount.

Hydro One reminds all customers to have a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit, which should contain:

• Windup or battery-powered flashlight
• Windup or battery-powered radio
• Batteries for your flashlight and radio
• Water (recommend 2 litres per person/day)
• Canned or dried food that won't spoil
• Manual can opener
• Cash and any medical items you require
• Blanket
• Candles and matches
• First Aid Kit
• Portable charger for cell phone

About Hydro One Inc.:

Hydro One Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, $25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly $6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. Hydro One is committed to the communities we serve, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. We are one of only five utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Energy Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).

SOURCE Hydro One Inc.