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Sudbury Hydro: It could be a couple days before power fully restored

Utility stressing safety around downed electrical wires as cleanup commences following powerful thunderstorm

It could be a couple of days before power is restored to some 3,400 Greater Sudbury Utilities customers following yesterday evening’s powerful storm that ripped through the city.

Most of the damage is in a swath along Lasalle Boulevard in New Sudbury, from The Kingsway to Maley Drive and from Notre Dame over to Falconbridge. The area of highest damage is concentrated in the Grandview and Montrose Avenue area. There are isolated areas of damage near Gatchell as well.

Downed trees, downed power lines, debris blown around by winds that are estimated to have hit 100 km/h — all of this must be cleared as crews work to restore power and clean up.

Reconnection ETA

At its peak, 4,000 GSU customers were without power. Electricity has been restored to about 600 customers, communications director Wendy Watson told Sudbury.com today, leaving 3,400 to reconnect.

“Even though we continue to work, we expect as many as 3,400 customers may be without power overnight,” said Watson. “The storm knocked down a lot of trees and damage is widespread, but in many cases, it’s the actual services to homes which are damaged — one here, two there — and that means restoration is really a one-house-at-a-time effort.” 

Traffic lights along parts of Lasalle Boulevard, one of the city’s busiest streets, aren’t functioning. Traffic is moving, but moving slowly. Although traffic is moving, GSU is asking drivers to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary because vehicles are slowing down the utility’s efforts to restore power.

Greater Sudbury Hydro has asked North Bay Hydro, Lakeland Hydro (from the Parry Sound area) and Sault Ste. Marie PUC to lend a hand in the restoration efforts. Crews and equipment were expected to arrive this morning. Utilities routinely share resources in the wake of major weather events.

“We will be able to share more information about our restoration efforts … once the extra crews get here and we mobilize everyone,” said Watson. 

Safety first around downed lines

Watson asked that Sudbury.com stress to residents to be extremely careful around downed and hanging power lines. One touch can kill.

“In the meantime, we must stress the importance of staying at least 10 metres — a full bus-length — away from any downed lines,” she said.

Avoid moving trees off lines, stepping over, under or through fallen lines. Avoid cutting up trees that are in contact with a power line, as well. The line can energize the tree. No injuries have been reported as far as she knows, Watson said.

Crews are touring the storm-damaged neighbourhoods to identify critical areas that need attention. Every available person is out on trucks today, Watson said, even those who wouldn’t normally be on a truck.

Eventually, hydro crews will be going house by house to make necessary repairs. In many cases, Watson said, homeowners will need to have an electrician repair the house connection itself in order for the residence to have its electricity restored. 

What you should do

For residents without power, GSU asks that you unplug what can be unplugged and shut off the power. This will minimize fire risk, but it will also protect your property from any power surges once the electricity is turned back on.

And again, stay well away from downed lines and do not cut or attempt to remove trees, branches or limbs from power lines. 


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