Hydro One rebuilds main line connecting Carleton Place, Ont.
Hydro One says more than 10,000 customers in Carleton Place have had their power restored after crews repaired the main line powering the town.
More than 40 hydro poles that feed electricity to the city were downed by Saturday’s powerful derecho storm. Mayor Doug Black told CTV News on Tuesday it could be days before the entire community gets its power back.
Speaking to Newstalk 580 CFRA’s “Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron”, Black said 80 per cent of the town had its power back Wednesday morning and more were reconnected by the afternoon.
“The normalcy is back, for sure,” he said, saying grocery stores, coffee shops and other businesses are getting back online. “We’re all back at the town hall.”
Hydro One said a team of 40 line maintainers from the eastern region used cranes, bucket trucks and off-road equipment to repair three kilometres of power line Tuesday night.
“Through this total team effort, what originally took us months to build in 1989, we were able to complete in days. We greatly appreciate our customers’ patience during this time,” Hydro One line maintainer Dave Phillips said in a news release.
Black said the town would be conducting a post mortem analysis of the storm response.
“There’s definitely lessons to be learnt. I think we’re going to have to look at more generation backup for our facilities and the cost that attracts,” he said.
Black said one of the most difficult things for him was not knowing when power was coming back and being unable to tell residents. He said, however, that he was very impressed with hydro crews.
“At one time, the rumour was Friday, so we’re way ahead of schedule from the initial feedback from the powers to be on this,” Black said.
More than 29,000 Hydro One customers remain without power in eastern Ontario. There are approximately 92,000 Hydro One customers who still need to be restored across the storm’s path from London to Ottawa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.