WIND WARNING AND POWER LOSS
DISTRICT (Staff-special) — Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for a portion of this Christmas Eve in Temiskaming. As well, the high winds have currently left thousands of people in Temiskaming without power Christmas Eve morning.
The following are releases from Environment Canada and Hydro One and the CNW source.
Strong and gusty southwest winds are expected early this morning along and just behind a cold front crossing the central Great Lakes region. Wind speeds of 60 kilometers an hour (km/h) are expected with the odd gust to 90 km/h likely. The winds should begin to ease this afternoon. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to storm.ontario@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #ONStorm.
High winds knock out power to more than 53,000 Hydro One customers
TORONTO, Dec. 24, 2015 /CNW/ – High winds that started this morning across central and northern Ontario are causing power outages on Hydro One’s distribution system. It is expected that this weather will move through southern Ontario later today.
Where safe, Hydro One crews are out assessing damage and starting repairs. It is expected that the number of customers affected by these storms will increase as the weather system continues.
Currently areas most affected include:
| Area Affected | Number of Hydro One Customers Affected |
| Algoma | 3,723 |
| Bracebridge | 1,024 |
| Huntsville | 1,407 |
| Kirkland Lake | 1,362 |
| Minden | 1,394 |
| New Liskeard | 1,592 |
| Nipissing | 10,873 |
| Parry Sound | 7,484 |
| Sudbury | 11,026 |
| Thunder Bay | 2,363 |
| Timmins | 10,431 |
Tracking power outages
For outage updates, download Hydro One’s free mobile app on smartphone and tablet devices or check the online outage map at HydroOne.com. Customers can check the status of power outages anywhere in Hydro One’s service area and receive helpful tips and news.
What to do in a power outage
If the power system in your area is affected by bad weather, be sure to stay clear of any fallen power lines. If you spot a fallen line, keep at least 10 metres back, even if it does not appear to be live. Report it to the police and call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235. Safety is at the core of everything Hydro One employees do. Not only are our crews trained in First Aid, every Hydro One vehicle is equipped with a First Aid kit.
Household preparedness
Hydro One wants to remind you and your family of the importance of being prepared in case of an extended power outage caused by severe weather.
Our emergency preparedness video is a great tool to help ensure you and your family are prepared in the event of an extended outage.
About the Company
The Company is Ontario’s largest electrical transmission and distribution utility with approximately $23 billion in assets and 2014 revenues of over $6 billion. The Company’s regulated transmission and distribution operations are owned by Hydro One Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Hydro One Inc. delivers electricity safely and reliably to over 1.2 million customers across the province of Ontario, and to large industrial customers and municipal utilities. Hydro One Inc. owns and operates Ontario’s approximately 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network and an approximately 122,000 circuit km primary low-voltage distribution network.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.
For further information:
contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our website is www.HydroOne.com.