PowerStream continues to restore power throughout service territory

Update - Approximately 16,300 customers in York Region remain affected by ice storm

VAUGHAN, ON, Dec. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - PowerStream is continuing to restore power to approximately 16,300 customers in York Region without power due to adverse weather conditions, including freezing rain, which occurred throughout the weekend. Freezing rain allowed for ice accumulation which resulted in fallen trees on power lines as well as downed power lines throughout our service territory, affecting 92,000 customers at its peak.

We currently anticipate outages to be restored within the next 24 hours but this is dependent on weather and local conditions. The majority of our customers will have power before the end of day, aside from small pockets of localized outages. If power is not restored by 8 pm this evening, customers may have to be prepared to sustain an extended outage into Christmas.

Additional Operations staff has been called in and continue to work safely to restore power in Markham, Unionville, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oak Ridges and Aurora. Municipal forestry staff, neighbouring utilities and contractor resources are joining our crews to clear trees from lines and help restore power.

Priority is given to key medical facilities, pumping stations, community centers, homes of the elderly and higher density areas.  We are asking that customers report where they witness trees on power lines and that stay clear of any exposed wires and watch for falling ice and tree limbs.  In the event of an emergency or downed power lines please call 911.

Please note that driving in parts of York Region is slow due to traffic light signals being out and icy road conditions. We ask you to treat these intersections as four-way stops and drive carefully.

York Region warming stations are available throughout our south service territory including local community centres in Vaughan, Thornhill, Markham and Aurora.  Warming stations available throughout the York Region area include:

Vaughan

• Dufferin Clark Community Centre, 1441 Clark Ave. W., Concord.  For more information please call (905) 832 - 8554.
• Maple Community Centre, 10190 Keele St., Maple *Pet-Friendly* For more information please call (905) 832 - 2377.
• Vellore Village Community Centre, 1 Villa Royale Ave., Woodbridge For more information please call (905) 832 - 8544.

Thornhill

• Lebovic Jewish Community Campus, 9600 Bathurst St., Thornhill.  For more information please call (905)-303-2353.

Markham

• Angus Glen Community Centre, 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East.  For more information please call [phone].
• Armadale Community Centre, 2401 Denison Street.  For more information please call [phone].
• Centennial Community Centre, 8600 McCowan Road.  For more information please call [phone].
• Cornell Community Centre, 3201 Bur Oak Avenue.  For more information please call [phone].
• Crosby Community Centre, 210 Main Street.  For more information please call [phone].
• Markham Village Community Centre, 6401 Highway 7.  For more information please call (905) 294 - 6111.
• Milliken Mills Community Centre, 7600 Kennedy Road.  For more information please call [phone].
• Mount Joy Community Centre, 6410 16^th Avenue.  For more information please call (905) 294 - 6111.
• R.J. Clatworthy Community Centre, 2400 John Street 16^th Avenue.  For more information please call (905) 944 - 3800.
• Rouge River Community Centre, 120 Rouge Bank Drive, Unit 2.  For more information please call [phone].
• Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 Bayview Avenue.  For more information please call [phone].

Aurora

• Aurora Seniors' Centre - 5 Municipal Drive.  For more information please call (905) 726 - 4767.

We continue to encourage customers to remain patient and check on relatives and neighbours who may require assistance.

Due to high volumes of inquiries, PowerStream is currently experiencing technical issues with its corporate website. Customers who are currently out of power are strongly encouraged to call 1-877-777-3810 to report the details.  Customers are also encouraged to follow PowerStream on Twitter at @PowerStreamNews for latest updates.

Restoring power safely is our number one priority, thank you for your continued patience.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 360,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.

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CATEGORIES - Power Outages, Safety,

KEYWORDS - Outage, Ice storm, PowerStream

SOURCE: Power Stream Inc.

John Olthuis, Manager, Customer Communications
Media Line (24/7): 905-532-4400
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.PowerStream.ca