Power Outages
Freezing rain, sleet storms and/or high winds can damage powerlines and equipment causing a power outage. Cold snaps or heat waves can also overload the electric power system.
Safety Tip: If you were cooking when the power went out, turn off the stove, oven and all other cooking appliances right away
Storm-related electrical hazards
- If you were cooking when the power went out, turn off the stove, oven or other cooking appliances right away;
- Downed powerlines and flooding create electrical hazards in and around your home. Remember to stay back at least 10 metres (the length of a school bus) from a downed powerline. Call 9-1-1 and your local utility immediately to report it; and
- Stay out of your basement if flood water is higher than the electrical outlets, baseboard heaters or furnace, or near the electrical panel. Call your local electric utility immediately to have power disconnected.
Emergency kit
Extended power outages do happen and you need to be prepared. Ontario’s Emergency Measures Office recommends every family have an emergency survival kit. This will keep you comfortable for at least three days right after or during an emergency. Learn how to build your emergency kit.
Getting power restored
Your local electric utility fixes the powerlines and other electrical equipment to restore power. As a homeowner, you are responsible for having repairs done to your own equipment.
Learn how to get power restored and speed up the power restoration process.
If you have serious damage to your home's electrical system, the utility may not be able to reconnect your power until you repair it. Contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor to do the repairs. You can find one near you through our Contractor Lookup Tool.
Find a Licensed Electrical Contractor Near You
Ensure you hire someone who can legally do electrical work in Ontario.