IMPORTANT – Update from Toronto Hydro and the City of Toronto – Message from Councillor Peter Milczyn

The following text is from Councillor Peter Milczyn’s Office:

I am aware that the continuing power disruption is causing increased strain on residents and concerns around health and safety. I understand the frustration and disruption this has caused. I have been in contact with Hydro yesterday and today and have been adamant to them about getting action / information from them for the residents of Etobicoke.

As of 11:30 a.m. this morning, Toronto Hydro has advised my City Hall office that approximately 9,000 customers unfortunately remain without power.

UPDATE ON RESTORING POWER TO YOUR HOMES:

Two transformers out of Manby have now been energized allowing Toronto Hydro to restore power to some customers. They are in the process of energizing the additional 5 feeders, and estimate the remaining customers affected by Manby equipment, will be restored early evening.

Toronto Hydro have implemented voltage reduction in the affected areas (west end of the city) at the request of the IESO. Hydro One has not requested we initiate planned rotating outages, although programs such as peaksaver plus and demand response have been activated.

Toronto Hydro anticipates the grid will be in a contingency mode even after customers are restored for the balance of the week. They will also be monitoring the weather as a severe weather storm warning (heavy rain and thunderstorms) has been issued; expected between 3-4 p.m. this afternoon.

Residents without power are currently welcome to use shower facilities at the following Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation locations from noon to 6:00 p.m. today:

– Long Branch arena at 75 Arcadian Circle 416-394-8694
– Mimico arena at 31 Drummond Street 416-394-8695

Residents will need to bring their own toiletries and personal supplies. Fresh drinking water is available to residents at any community centre or recreation facility.
For a list of “Air Conditioned Public Places” where residents (west District) may go to cool down as recommended by Toronto Public Health, please contact my office.

If there are specific residents who require immediate assistance due to health and safety concerns, please provide your city councillor or the Mayor’s office with the details (address, number of residents, etc.) and we will mobilize the Red Cross who are on stand-by to dispatch individuals to conduct ‘wellness’ visits.

SPECIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION

The City will provide special collection on Saturday, July 13 for waste created by flooding.

Residents also have the option of setting out flood-damaged items on their regular garbage day.

Residents are reminded to check with their insurance company before setting items out for collection (proof of damage prior to disposal may be needed for reimbursement).
Bulky items such as couches, mattresses or other furniture do not need to be dismantled. Carpet must be tied in rolls measuring 1.2 m (4 ft) in length. Smaller items should be placed in garbage bags; no City-issued Bag Tag required. Each bag or roll of carpet cannot weigh more than 20 kg (44 lbs). Please place all flood-damaged material out at the curb by 7 a.m. and leave items out until collected (collection may continue until Monday).

Place spoiled food items in the Green Bin. Do not set out any construction/renovation waste (i.e. drywall, wood) or household hazardous waste (i.e. paint cans, fluorescent lighting tubes/bulbs).

IN THE EVENT OF BASEMENT FLOODING

– Call the City of Toronto at 311 to report a blocked basement drain or sewer backup, or for information or assistance with a blocked drain, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. During this extreme weather event, residents should expect high call volumes. Calls will be answered by the first available agent.

– Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding.

– Be mindful of your health and safety when cleaning up a flooded basement – do not stand in flood water. Call a professional for assistance. More information about basement flooding is available at http://www.toronto.ca/water.

FOOD SAFETY

During a power failure, food kept in the refrigerator or freezer may become unsafe to eat. The following tips will help ensure food is stored safely in the event of a power outage:

– Keep your refrigerator door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, the refrigerator section will keep foods cool for four to six hours if the door is kept closed.

– Throw out perishable foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers that have been at temperatures above 4°C for more than two hours.

– Keep your freezer door closed to maintain the temperature inside. Without power, an upright or chest freezer that is completely full will keep food frozen for about 48 hours – if the door is kept closed. A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.

– Foods that have thawed in the freezer may be refrozen if they still contain ice crystals or are at 4°C or below. Evaluate each item separately.

– Partial thawing and refreezing may reduce the quality of some food, but food will remain safe to eat.

OTHER CITY SERVICES AFFECTED

-All Toronto Employment and Social Services offices are operational with the exception of The Queensway office (779 The Queensway) which is closed due to power outage.

– Children’s Services West District office is closed to due to power outage; clients are being re-directed to the other three offices. Addresses available at http://www.toronto.ca/children/pdf/districtoffices.pdf

– Outdoor sport fields are experiencing closures due to flooding and water saturation. Outdoor sports fields will remain closed for Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Permits holders and sports clubs are request to check the website or speak directly to the Park Supervisor and/or Permit Office staff to determine potential openings for July 10, 2013 prior to heading out to ensure that scheduled activities will be permitted.

– Some City-operated swimming pools experienced flooding and power outages. A list of closed pools is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/swimming/index.htm

– Scarlett Woods golf course is closed until further notice and Humber Valley is reduced to nine holes; all other courses are operating. No golf cart access.

– Montgomery’s Inn is closed due to power outage; all other museums are open.