Hydro One is warning of potentially widespread outages, as a windstorm rolls through Ontario from the south west.
The utility’s Kennisha Petgrave says they expect winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour, starting Saturday in the mid-morning.
“From our reports, we’re seeing that the hardest-hit areas will be Central Ontario as well as Southwestern Ontario, but primarily across the shorelines of the [Great Lakes],” says Petgrave. “So we’re really encouraging our customers to prepare their emergency kits. Have cash on hand, have extra batteries, food, all of the things to be prepared for possible outages.”
Petgrave says crews, damage assessors, and support staff across the province are prepared to respond. She says if outages occur, an estimated time of restoration will be determined for each outage once damage has been assessed by crews.
The company encourages customers to be prepared in case of an extended power outage with an emergency kit.
According to them here’s what to include:
- Water and food that won’t spoil for all family members, including pets
- A manual can opener
- Windup or battery-powered flashlight and radio
- Extra batteries
- Cash
- First aid kit and medical items
- Blankets
- Emergency numbers including Hydro One’s emergency line, 1-800-434-1235
- Fully charged cellphone or have at least one corded phone at home; a cordless phone will not work in a power outage
Petgrave says to keep your emergency kit in a backpack and make sure everyone in your home knows where to find it, as well as know what to do in case of an emergency.
If you spot a fallen line, keep at least 10 metres back, even if it does not appear to be live. Report it to 911 and call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235. If you plan to use a generator, remember to keep it in a dry area outdoors and away from any open windows, doors or vents.
Outages can be reported by texting 92887 (WATTS), through the company’s outage map and app, or by calling 1-800-434-1235.
**With files from Mo Fahim and Martin Halek
