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Commissioner Fantino Warns Residents to Avoid Downed Power Lines

20,000 Hydro One Customers In The Province Are Still Without Power

     TORONTO, July 20 /CNW/ - Commissioner of Emergency Management Julian Fantino said today recovery efforts to restore power in northern and northeastern Ontario are well underway, but the public should avoid downed hydro lines and trees leaning into lines to prevent serious injury to themselves or their families.

     "It's a common misconception that a downed power line isn't dangerous because there isn't electricity running through it anymore," Fantino said.

"That's just not the case, and making that mistake can be lethal. Assume that every downed line is active and call your local utility company or Hydro One right away if you spot one."

     Hydro One reports that more than 20,000 of its customers are still

without power in Ontario - down from about 170,000 customers initially left in the dark by Monday night's storm. It is estimating it will be Saturday night or Sunday before most of the power has been restored. The regions of West Nipissing and Mattawa were hardest hit. While most communities now have at least partial power, there is no power in Mattawa, which is 60 kilometres east of North Bay.

     Emergency Management Ontario continues to work with affected communities and provincial ministries to help manage the emergencies, and Hydro One crews have been out in force to restore power as quickly as possible.

     "Staying away from downed power lines, acting quickly to keep children and others out of the area, and immediately notifying Hydro One or emergency responders can prevent serious injury and save lives," Fantino said.

     For more information or to report outages or downed power lines, call

Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.