Hydro One says a power outage planned for this Saturday will affect approximately 7,000 Hydro One customers in Powassan, South Himsworth, McConkey, Nipissing, Lount, South River, Machar, Chisholm, Patterson, North Himsworth, East Mills, Trout Creek, Strong, Pringle, Laurier, Hardy, Wilson, Blair and East Ferris.
The power outage occurs on Saturday, May 15 and is required for crews to safely perform scheduled maintenance and complete upgrades in the area says a Hydro One release.
"For the safety of our crews, equipment must be de-energized to complete the work. To reduce service disruptions and the need for future outages, we are bundling our work as much as possible to enhance power reliability and replace aging infrastructure," explains the release.
The planned outage will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Part of the work includes replacing aging infrastructure at the Powassan Distribution Station along with three poles in the area, and trimming hazardous vegetation.
"We understand this is a challenging time to be without power and we would like to thank our customers for their patience during this time. Additional crews and equipment are being brought in to complete as much local area work as possible during this outage," says Hydron One.
Below are some tips to help you and your family during an outage:
- Make sure your appliances, such as the stove, are in the off position
- Make sure your cellphone and extended battery packs are fully charged.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use a cooler with ice for items you’ll need during the planned outage.
- Consider filling jugs of water to use for drinking and cooking.
If you plan to use a generator, remember to use it in a dry area outdoors away from any open windows, doors, and vents. Visit the Electrical Safety Authority for more tips.
·If you have a bathtub, consider filling it with water before the planned outage begins. You can use the water and a bucket to fill your toilet tank to be able to flush.
