Update – Hydro One Ice Storm Restoration April 8, 2025

(Today’s Northumberland file photo)

Restoration by the numbers

• Since the start of the devasting ice storm (March 28, 11 p.m.), crews have restored power to more than 97 per cent of customers (up 1 per cent from yesterday’s update). Crews continue to repair powerlines that serve fewer customers. For example, in many instances repairs to one outage/incident restores power to 20 or less customers each time.
• At this time there are approximately 16,400 residential customers and 16,300 seasonal customers (cottages/trailers) without power from the ice storm. See regional breakdown below.
• We continue to have 4,800 resources restoring power, including contractors and 30 utility partners providing us with Mutual Assistance.

Ice Storm 2025: Recovery Grant applications now open

• We’ve seen firsthand the devastation this storm has caused and cleanup will continue long after power is restored. We will be there as communities rebuild and provide support through our Ice Storm 2025: Recovery Grant.

• Applications are now open and can be found at: www.hydroone.com/about/sustainability/communities#ice-storm. Directly impacted Indigenous communities and municipalities can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in their local community.

Restoration updates  

• Last night’s weather did not result in many new outages. Restoration is expected to be slower today in areas with high winds, heavy snow or flooding such as Bracebridge, Penetang, Minden and Fenelon Falls. There is clear weather anticipated tomorrow so we can get our boats back in the water.

• As crews complete restoration in areas, they are being redeployed to work in other affected areas.
• Areas with more than 1,000 customers without power at this time area are: Fenelon Falls, Bracebridge, Minden, the rural area surrounding Orillia, the rural area surrounding Peterborough, Penetang, Parry Sound and Bancroft – see breakdown below.
• Rebuilding of sections of the local distribution grid continues in many places. For remote areas, including customers who can only be reached by water, restoration may take longer. This includes many seasonal properties.

Safety messages to amplify 

• It is critical that generators, BBQs and hibachi grills are used outside, away from any windows or ventilation. In addition, turn off the stove and other major appliances that may have been in use when the power went out.
• If there is flooding inside your home that is starting to reach electrical outlets, baseboard heaters or furnace, call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235 to have power safely turned off. Water and electricity do not mix. Do not enter any flooded areas, such as the basement, until power is disconnected.
• If there is damage to your home’s electrical equipment (ex. stack/pipe where the powerline from the road connects to their home), follow the Electrical Safety Authority’s process to get the repairs done- https://esasafe.com/safety/storm-safety/restoring-power.
• Customers having a licensed electrician install a generator should follow the instructions these instructions to avoid the temporary disconnection requirement and breaking the meter seal – Flash 25-15-FL.

Regional breakdown

• Below is the updated regional breakdown by operations centre that includes number of outages and customers restored since the beginning of the storm on Friday, March 28, and the number of active outages and customers without power at this time.
• The number of seasonal properties affected by outages is included for each operations centre. These numbers are part of the total in the number of customers without power column.
• These areas do not align with municipal boundaries, they are our broken down by our operations centres. A map of our operations centres’ service area can be found below.

Author: Pete Fisher

Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love