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Power Restored to 127,000 customers - 23,000 Hydro One customers remain without power; cottagers still warned to stay away from downed power lines

August 5, 2006 — Hydro One confirms it has now restored power to 127,000 customers since the evening of Wednesday, August 2. Approximately 23,000 customers remained without power Saturday at midday. World Weather Watch confirmed tornados touched down in West Gilford and Minden Hills (Minden), Combermere (Barry's Bay) on August 2.

"We are pleased that people are heeding our warning about the dangers of downed power lines," said Myles D'Arcey, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, Hydro One. "We continue to warn people to take extra precaution should they discover fallen power lines on their properties. Even if a fallen wire is not sparking, it may still be energized and dangerous. People are urged to report to Hydro One the location of the fallen wires as soon as possible."

Approximately 900 field staff from all parts of the province are closing-in on the remaining affected areas and will continue to work until all storm related damage has been repaired and all customers are restored. Seven helicopters have been conducting aerial surveys of system damage and assisting with restoration activities since Thursday morning and will continue to work throughout the weekend. Hydro One crews are reporting extensive tree related damage to wires and poles.

Hydro One estimates that the majority of customers will have power restored by Saturday or Sunday. However, it is expected remote or water-access properties may not have power until Monday or Tuesday of next week.

"We continue to discover untold tree-related damage particularly in the parts of the province that were impacted by tornados," said Mr. D'Arcey. "Our strategy now is to zero-in on these areas with as many resources as we can muster. I would like to thank our customers and the affected communities for the patience and support they continue to extend our field staff." he added.

Important Safety Information

Hydro One strongly urges people to take extra caution near fallen power lines. Even if a fallen wire seems dead, it can be dangerous. People are urged to report to Hydro One the location of the fallen wires as soon as possible. Touching a vehicle that is in contact with a power line can be fatal.

Restoring Power to Customers with Customer-Owned Equipment

Hydro One advises customers that their privately-owned electrical equipment may have sustained damage in this week's storm. If you know that your customer-owned equipment is damaged, you will need to hire a qualified electrical contractor to undertake necessary repair work who will then arrange for the required ESA inspection and Hydro One reconnection to restore your power.

For the most recent information on power outages go to www.HydroOneNetworks.com.

Hydro One owns and operates Ontario's 28,400 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 122,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.2 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Ontario Government.

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For more information and to make arrangements for photography, contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our Web site is www.HydroOne.com.