Updates on storm recovery efforts

NEWS RELEASES

HYDRO ONE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

MUNICIPALITY OF FRENCH RIVER

*********************** Hydro One works to restore power to remaining 10,000 customers in communities most affected by storm TORONTO, July 21 - Hydro One's efforts to repair damage caused by Monday's severe summer storm continue.

The company has restored power to approximately 160,000 customers since early Tuesday morning. Hydro One workers continue to repair damage resulting from Monday's record-breaking storm that caused the most damage to Ontario's electricity system since the Ice Storm of 1998.

Crews that have completed restoration activities in southern and eastern parts of the province, have been redeployed to aid in restoration in the areas still without power. The company has replaced almost 1,000 poles, 4,000 insulators and more than 200 transformers across Ontario.

Approximate number of customers without power in most affected communities Nipissing - 7,100 Sudbury - 2,300 "We still have work ahead of us to complete restoration in the Nipissing and Sudbury areas and that's the focus of this weekend," said Myles D'Arcey, senior vice president, customer operations.

"We understand how difficult this is for those still waiting to have their power restored. We are bringing field staff in from all over Ontario and are putting a great effort into returning power to these communities and won't rest until every light is back on."

Cobden

In the Ottawa River area, approximately 140 staff are wrapping up work today. As this work is completed, many of these workers will be redeployed to the Mattawa area to aid in restoration over the weekend. These line maintainers, foresters and support staff come from Cobden, Bancroft, Kingston, Trenton, Tweed, Ottawa, Vankleek Hill, Winchester and other parts of eastern Ontario.

North Bay

There are 307 field staff working within the North Bay area boundaries.

This location is normally home to 14 lines staff and five other workers.

There are now 186 line maintainers, 93 foresters and 28 support staff working in the area. These employees are normally based in North Bay, Essex, Kent, Beachville, Alymer, Strathroy, Walkerton, Listowel, Dundas, Thorold, Barrie, Bowmanville, Winchester, London, Toronto, Belleville, Brockville, Minden, Thorold, Peterborough, Bracebridge, Owen Sound, Simcoe and Timmins.

Sudbury

There are 190 field staff working within the Sudbury area boundaries. This location is normally home to 25 lines staff and eight others support teams.

There are now 133 line maintainers, 36 foresters and 21 support staff, including staff from Guelph Hydro and Sudbury Public Utility Company. These additional crew members are normally based in Dundas, Guelph, Alliston, Parry Sound, Penetang, Barrie, Orillia, Beachville, Alymer, Perth, Ottawa and Orangeville.

Manitoulin Island

There are 93 field staff working within the Manitoulin Island area boundaries.

This location is normally home to seven lines staff and three others including support staff.

Today's compliment includes 62 line maintainers, 19 foresters and 12 support staff.

As things wind down here today, crews will be moved to Sudbury as necessary. These employees are normally based in Algoma, Barrie, Toronto, Peterborough, Lambton, Owen Sound, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Timmins.

Important safety information

Hydro One strongly urges people to take extra precaution near fallen power lines. Even if a fallen wire seems dead, it can be dangerous.

People are urged to report to Hydro One the location of the fallen wires as soon as possible.

Touching a vehicle that is in contact with a power line can be fatal.

Restoring power to customers with customer-owned equipment

Hydro One advises customers that their privately-owned electrical equipment may have sustained damage in this week's storm.

If you know that your customer-owned equipment is damaged, you will need to hire a qualified electrical contractor to undertake necessary repair work who will then arrange for the required ESA inspection and Hydro One reconnection to restore your power.

For the most recent information on power outages go to www.HydroOneNetworks.com.

************************ Closing of Samuel de Champlain Park extended

Services at other provincial parks gradually being restored

TORONTO — Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will likely remain closed until Wednesday, July 26, following severe storms on July 17, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"With extra crews on site cleaning up the fallen trees and repairing other damage, it's possible the park may open sooner," said Ramsay. "Ontario Parks is continuing to try to relocate campers who have reservations at the park."

The Ontario Parks telephone and on-line reservation service is not available for Algonquin (all campgrounds), Driftwood and Samuel de Champlain parks at this time.

Campers can book campsites at Algonquin and Driftwood in person at the parks, based on availability.

Electricity and telephone services have been restored at Killarney and Bonnechere provincial parks.

Restoule Provincial Park and parts of Algonquin still do not have telephone services or power.

Electricity is expected to be restored at Restoule late on Saturday, July 22.

The lack of electricity will affect facilities such as comfort stations.

Parks staff continue to clear away downed trees and other debris at Finlayson Point, White Lake, Point Farms, Sibbald Point, Six Mile Lake, Grundy Lake and Driftwood provincial parks.

However, all provincial parks except Samuel de Champlain are open for business.

For more information on services and facilities affected by the storm, visit www.ontarioparks.com and click on "Information about storm damage at Ontario Parks" or call the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940 (English and French), TTY 1-866-686-6072.

******************** Municipality of French River

From Emergency Operations Center

July 21, 2006 - As of 11:00 am this morning various roads remain without electricity.

Silvry Moon – Happy Landing Pine Beach, Section of Hwy 528, Brunet, North Channel, Shaw, Cherriman, Zettler Bay, Ash Bay, Harmony Point, Pinewood, Forest Hill, Langs, Amateewakea, Cow Bay, Owl's Nest, Ed Claire's, Driftwood, Jean St, and Dry Pine Bay Road.

We would like to remind residents that our information centers: Alban Fire hall, and Noelville Fire hall remain open 24 hours as well as the ECC (Municipal office).

Water is still available for those in extreme need as well as ice.

Should you need information do not hesitate to contact us at any of the three locations.

Again we would like to remind everyone to pay very close attention to perishable food.

For your safety and the safety of your family, when in doubt, throw it out.

If you need further information on food issues do not hesitate to contact the Health Unit office @ 522-9200 or visit the information centers.

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