OTTAWA – On Wednesday afternoon, a team from Toronto Hydro arrived to support restoration efforts. Hydro Ottawa, its contractors and other utilities (from the Greater Toronto Area, Kingston and New Brunswick), have been working around the clock since the storm hit the region on Saturday, May 21.
While restoration efforts continue across the city by crews, there will be extensive work today focused on some of the most impacted neighbourhoods including Merivale, Woodroffe, Greenbank, Pineglen, Overbrook and Elmvale Acres.
Hydro Ottawa acknowledges that customers who’ve been without power for the last five days are struggling and ask for continued patience for a little longer. The magnitude of infrastructure replacement of this size would commonly require six months to perform, but the utility and its partners are performing it in a matter of days. The utility promises that restoration efforts will continue 24/7 until all residents are reconnected.
Hydro Ottawa will continue to keep customers and the public advised of the evolving situation via the news media and on our social channels.
Safety tips
- Hydro Ottawa asks the public to respect work site perimetres by keeping a safe distance from crews and as they work on energizing the power grid.
- If customers notice downed power lines, stay at least 10 metres away (the length of a school bus) from the wires and from any objects that are in contact with the lines such as trees. If there is a downed power line, please call us at 613 738-0188.
- Hydro Ottawa is working with the City of Ottawa to ensure that those affected by extended power outages get the help they need. The City has opened several emergency reception centres. Visit the City of Ottawa’s Emergency Preparedness page for an expanded list.
- As a reminder, if customers were cooking when the power went out, turn off the stove, oven or other cooking appliances.
- As power is being restored, Hydro Ottawa reminds residents to conserve their use of energy and avoid turning on all electronics and appliances to avoid impacting the electricity supply.
- Turn off all lights, unplug appliances and electronics, and turn down heating system thermostats. This will help avoid a power surge when electricity is restored.
- Please reserve the use of 911 to situations where there is a risk to public safety, and life-threatening emergencies.
Hydro Ottawa will continue to keep customers and the public advised of the situation via the news media, our website and on our social channels.
Media Contact
Josée Larocque
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
[email protected]