Crews continue to focus on localized neighbourhoods, apartment buildings, condominiums and individual homes still without service. Toronto Hydro is working through the final phase of restoration. The utility is asking customers to do the following:
If you are in a neighbourhood that has been restored but your home is still without power, it is critical that you report your outage to a call centre agent by calling 416-542-8000. While call volumes have now reduced, we kindly ask that you stay on the line if at first, phone lines are busy. Thank you for your patience.
In situations where the homeowner still needs to make repairs before the power can be restored, you will need to provide Hydro with the ESA inspection certificate number provided by your electrical contractor and customer contact information. Homeowners are advised to call Hydro with this information so that a work order can be initiated.
If you need an electrician you can find a list of certified contractors on Toronto Hydro’s website www.torontohydro.com/poweroutage
As expected, our equipment at many locations has experienced severe damage due to the ice storm, and therefore restoration is taking much longer than would normally be the case. Many of these homes are in neighbourhoods with rear-lot construction, where poles and power lines are located in backyards. Crews cannot use bucket trucks to reach the damage, and must enter the yards on foot, carrying equipment and using ladders to climb poles and make repairs. This is time-consuming and hazardous.
Tree Debris Removal begins January 3
Work to clear all tree debris will begin on Friday, January 3 and it will continue for approximately eight weeks, weather permitting.
Residents are asked to place their tree debris on the curb or the boulevard by Thursday, January 2. Please remember to provide at least one metre of clearance to ensure those with mobility issues can pass safely.
Large limb or stem (body) wood from private trees that have fallen on private property should not be taken to the curb. Property owners should contact a private contractor to remove this material.
Homeowners do not require a City permit to remove damaged or downed trees that are hazardous. Tree removal may not be needed. Some trees can be saved with proper care and maintenance. Trees may be pruned to remove damaged branches. Please use a professional arborist to ensure safety.
Please note that City crews cannot go onto private property to clear private trees that have fallen on private property.
Toronto Roads and Traffic
Power has been restored to all signals and all signals are operating normally. However, the power supply is not quite stable at all signalized intersections and there may be fluctuations in the Hydro supply voltage which can result in a few signals being temporarily "all-out" or on flash. Motorists are reminded to treat any intersection without functioning signal lights as an all-way stop. In such cases, the public should call 311 and the City will send a crew to investigate and fix the problem.
Parking
Parking consideration will be provided for residents who park on the street beyond posted times due to limited access to icy or blocked driveways. If the homeowner receives a parking ticket, there is an
application that can be filled out to describe the circumstances and request ticket cancellation at http://bitly.com/1ggfwPJ. Completed application forms and documentation can be faxed to 416-696-3652 or sent via e-mail to [email protected].
Food, Water, Warmth and Rest
The City continues to operate locations across the city where vulnerable residents and those who need assistance can access food, water, warmth and rest. Pets are welcome. Matty Eckler Community Centre, 953 Gerrard St. E. (Pape/Gerrard) remains open.
Holiday Waste Pickup
Residents are reminded that this week, curbside collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will move forward one day. This means that Wednesday collection moves to Thursday, Thursday collection moves to Friday, and Friday collection moves to Saturday. Changes are reflected in the residential collection calendar. Please note that there may be collection delays. Residents should leave their materials out until they are picked up.
Food Waste
If you have organic material (food waste) that cannot fit in the Green Bin, please set it out in a clear plastic bag. Food waste will be collected on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Children's Services
All TDSB sites that have childcare are open today except for Fairmount, Hillmount, and Broadlands. Those three locations will remain closed until further notice. All City operated childcare centres are open.
Special Council Meeting
A special meeting of City Council will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2014 in the Council Chamber, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., for the following purposes:
- To consider a report from the City Manager on the ice storm, including a request for Provincial assistance under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
- To introduce and enact a confirming bylaw for this special meeting.
The agenda for the special meeting will be distributed and posted to toronto.ca/council as soon as it is available.
Meeting URL:
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=8828
Thank You
The City of Toronto would like to extend a sincere thank you to the many partners who have helped in the aftermath of this storm. This includes the Province of Ontario, Ontario Hydro and other municipalities that have sent hydro and forestry crews. The City would also like to thank residents who have assisted our crews by moving tree branches off the roads and onto the boulevards and to those who have opened their homes to neighbours, friends and relatives in need of a warm refuge during the storm.
