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Hydro One restores power to 43,000 customers, works to return electricity to 50,000 customers still affected by severe wind storm

September 25, 2006 — Hydro One crews working to restore power to parts of the province hit by yesterday's severe wind storm have made significant headway, but much work remains to be done.

Hydro One crews and helicopters have been mobilized and deployed to assess and repair the damage resulting from the wind storm. Line maintainers and foresters are replacing broken poles and removing trees from lines to restore safe, reliable electricity to customers in the area. Six helicopters are working throughout cottage country to assess damage, move crews and transport equipment into remote areas.

The wind caused widespread damage knocking large trees down on lines, breaking poles and crossarms and toppling lines. An Environment Canada weather station in Parry Sound recorded winds above 100 km/h. A second storm system, bringing wind and rain, is entering the province this afternoon and will hamper restoration efforts.

"Our crews will make good progress over the next 48 hours, but customers in some of the worst areas will be without power until Thursday," said Myles D'Arcey, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, Hydro One. "In cottage country, crews are reporting widespread broken poles and crossarms and hundreds of trees down. Again, we thank our customers for the patience and understanding they show us consistently during these times."

Important Safety Information

Hydro One strongly urges people to take extra precaution 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 delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 28,000 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 125,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 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.