Toronto Hydro news release outlining the scale of the current power outage across the City
Posted on December 23, 2013
If you spot a downed wire, please stay back (at least 10 feet) and report it to Toronto Hydro’s operations centre at 416-542-8000.
For more information about household items to have on hand during a lengthy outage, please visit torontohydro.com/poweroutage
We continue to operate under the level III emergency. As of 6:30 a.m., there are currently an estimated 227,560 customers without power across the city. Crews have restored 72,500 customers (300,000 customers without power at peak).The damage caused by fallen trees and limbs continues to cause problems. We are dealing with multiple tree limbs on each feeder causing significant delays. We’re tracking a cold front moving in from the west. Winds will create further damage bringing tree limbs down.
– Difficult entry into backyards.
– Crews trying to climb icy poles.
– Driving is slow due to traffic lights outs and icy road conditions.
– Restoration in the dark takes much longer – crews can’t see in the dark where limbs are resting on lines.
– Must energize the lines and look for a spark to find tree branches on lines (reason why some customers’ lights are flickering)
– Multiple limbs on wires taking a lot of time to find and clear.
We continue to have priority customers operating without permanent power (hospitals, transit, water services) and are doing our best to restore them and refueling generators as needed. All have temporary power.
Here’s what we’ve been doing:
-We have been focused on responding to wires down calls and making areas safe
-We have had every available crew on shift. (crews rostered on 12 hour shifts)
-We have called in contractor crews to assist.
-City Forestry crews have lent resources to assist in clearing this morning.
-We have asked all southern Ontario utilities for assistance with restoration. They need to restore their territories first then assess their crew availability. We are hopeful they will report back this morning.
-We will determine this morning how we will engage our US partners.
Here’s what we have accomplished so far:
– Restored 72,500 customers
– Police Fire Ambulance – 138 calls at start, now 48 remaining.
· We have attnded and made safe 89 PFA calls.
– We have restored some critical loads:
· Richview pumping station
· Humber River Regional Hospital
· Toronto East General
· Horgan water treatment plant
· Yorkdale Mall and Subway station
– TTC – first crews on shift were dispatched to Warden Station and Sheppard Station
– Scarborough line – the issues are related to ice and debris on tracks, not Toronto Hydro.
– Sunnybrook – 2 supplies to Sunnybrook are both compromised in the valley. ETOR: 5 p.m.
– We have been refueling with diesel to City’s generators as well as to nursing homes and other critical loads.
– We have no safety incidents reported from our crews and we ask for their continued diligence on work practices.
Toronto Hydro news release outlining the scale of the current power outage across the City
Posted on December 23, 2013
If you spot a downed wire, please stay back (at least 10 feet) and report it to Toronto Hydro’s operations centre at 416-542-8000.
For more information about household items to have on hand during a lengthy outage, please visit torontohydro.com/poweroutage
We continue to operate under the level III emergency. As of 6:30 a.m., there are currently an estimated 227,560 customers without power across the city. Crews have restored 72,500 customers (300,000 customers without power at peak).The damage caused by fallen trees and limbs continues to cause problems. We are dealing with multiple tree limbs on each feeder causing significant delays. We’re tracking a cold front moving in from the west. Winds will create further damage bringing tree limbs down.
– Difficult entry into backyards.
– Crews trying to climb icy poles.
– Driving is slow due to traffic lights outs and icy road conditions.
– Restoration in the dark takes much longer – crews can’t see in the dark where limbs are resting on lines.
– Must energize the lines and look for a spark to find tree branches on lines (reason why some customers’ lights are flickering)
– Multiple limbs on wires taking a lot of time to find and clear.
We continue to have priority customers operating without permanent power (hospitals, transit, water services) and are doing our best to restore them and refueling generators as needed. All have temporary power.
Here’s what we’ve been doing:
-We have been focused on responding to wires down calls and making areas safe
-We have had every available crew on shift. (crews rostered on 12 hour shifts)
-We have called in contractor crews to assist.
-City Forestry crews have lent resources to assist in clearing this morning.
-We have asked all southern Ontario utilities for assistance with restoration. They need to restore their territories first then assess their crew availability. We are hopeful they will report back this morning.
-We will determine this morning how we will engage our US partners.
Here’s what we have accomplished so far:
– Restored 72,500 customers
– Police Fire Ambulance – 138 calls at start, now 48 remaining.
· We have attnded and made safe 89 PFA calls.
– We have restored some critical loads:
· Richview pumping station
· Humber River Regional Hospital
· Toronto East General
· Horgan water treatment plant
· Yorkdale Mall and Subway station
– TTC – first crews on shift were dispatched to Warden Station and Sheppard Station
– Scarborough line – the issues are related to ice and debris on tracks, not Toronto Hydro.
– Sunnybrook – 2 supplies to Sunnybrook are both compromised in the valley. ETOR: 5 p.m.
– We have been refueling with diesel to City’s generators as well as to nursing homes and other critical loads.
– We have no safety incidents reported from our crews and we ask for their continued diligence on work practices.
Ice storm related safety tips from Toronto Fire Services
Posted on December 23, 2013
Toronto Fire Services offers residents the following tips for staying safe in the aftermath of the ice storm.
Candle safety
• use a sturdy holder
• make sure glass shade higher than flame to protect against loose clothing becoming ignited
• position candle away from combustibles
• blow out the flame when you leave the room
• keep lighters, matches and candles away from children
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• ensure that the batteries are working
Cooking
• avoid operating propane, natural gas or charcoal barbecues indoors – if not properly vented, using them will create a carbon monoxide (CO) hazard
• ensure that your stove is clear of combustibles and is turned off or unplugged to avoid a fire when the power comes back on
• leave kettles and other small appliances unplugged
Heating
• ensure the fireplace screen is in place if burning fuel in a fireplace
• avoid burning trash or paper in a fireplace, as flaming paper can travel up the chimney and land on your roof
• provide at least one metre of clearance from combustibles for an electric space heater
• do not use stove, barbecue or camping gear for heating your home, as they create a CO and burn hazard
Power outage
• do not operate generators inside home, garage, or near windows or vents where exhaust could migrate indoors
• refuel outside and after generator has cooled
• use a flashlight rather than a candle for light
For Those Impacted by Ice Storm – City of Toronto Reception Centres
Posted on December 23, 2013
In collaboration with the Red Cross, the City of Toronto has opened a number of Reception Centres for residents affected by power outages. Staff continue to identify additional locations and updates will be forthcoming. At the centres, residents will have access to heat, food, water and rest. Centres are open 24 hours:
Dennis R Timbrell Community Centre
29 St Denis Drive (Eglinton/Don Mills)
Malvern Community Centre
30 Sewells Rd, (Neilson/Rd/Finch)
Agincourt Community Centre
31 Glen Walford Rd (Sheppard/Midland)
Don Montgomery Community Centre
2467 Eglinton Avenue East (Eglinton/Midland)
Driftwood Community Centre
4401 Jane Street (between Finch and Steeles)
Mitchell Field Community Centre
89 Church Avenue (Yonge/Finch)
Joseph P Piccinini Community Centre
1369 St Clair Avenue West (St Clair/Keele)
In addition, 13 Toronto Police Service facilities have been identified as having community rooms available for use 24/7 as warming centres:
Division 11 – 2054 Davenport Road (Davenport/Osler)
Division 12 – 200 Trethewey Drive (Trethewey/Black Creek)
Division 14 – 350 Dovercourt Road (College/Dovercourt)
Division 22 – 3699 Bloor Street West (Bloor West/Dundas West)
Division 23 – 5230 Finch Avenue West (Kipling/Finch)
Division 31 – 40 Norfinch Road (Norfinch/Finch West)
Division 33 – 50 Upjohn Road (York Mills/Don Mills)
Division 42 – 242 Milner Avenue (Milner/Markham)
Division 51 – 51 Parliament Street (Front/Parliament)
Division 52 – 255 Dundas Street West (LOBBY ONLY)
Toronto Police Service College – 70 Birmingham Street (Birmingham/Fifth)
Toronto Police Service Headquarters – 40 College Street (College/Bay)
For Those Impacted by Ice Storm – City of Toronto Reception Centres
Posted on December 23, 2013
In collaboration with the Red Cross, the City of Toronto has opened a number of Reception Centres for residents affected by power outages. Staff continue to identify additional locations and updates will be forthcoming. At the centres, residents will have access to heat, food, water and rest. Centres are open 24 hours:
Dennis R Timbrell Community Centre
29 St Denis Drive (Eglinton/Don Mills)
Malvern Community Centre
30 Sewells Rd, (Neilson/Rd/Finch)
Agincourt Community Centre
31 Glen Walford Rd (Sheppard/Midland)
Don Montgomery Community Centre
2467 Eglinton Avenue East (Eglinton/Midland)
Driftwood Community Centre
4401 Jane Street (between Finch and Steeles)
Mitchell Field Community Centre
89 Church Avenue (Yonge/Finch)
Joseph P Piccinini Community Centre
1369 St Clair Avenue West (St Clair/Keele)
In addition, 13 Toronto Police Service facilities have been identified as having community rooms available for use 24/7 as warming centres:
Division 11 – 2054 Davenport Road (Davenport/Osler)
Division 12 – 200 Trethewey Drive (Trethewey/Black Creek)
Division 14 – 350 Dovercourt Road (College/Dovercourt)
Division 22 – 3699 Bloor Street West (Bloor West/Dundas West)
Division 23 – 5230 Finch Avenue West (Kipling/Finch)
Division 31 – 40 Norfinch Road (Norfinch/Finch West)
Division 33 – 50 Upjohn Road (York Mills/Don Mills)
Division 42 – 242 Milner Avenue (Milner/Markham)
Division 51 – 51 Parliament Street (Front/Parliament)
Division 52 – 255 Dundas Street West (LOBBY ONLY)
Toronto Police Service College – 70 Birmingham Street (Birmingham/Fifth)
Toronto Police Service Headquarters – 40 College Street (College/Bay)