Dufferin Flood: Toronto Blackout Engulfs Half of City - Toronto Hydro?

toronto blackout hydro

Yikes! As of 11PM this evening, approximately half of Toronto has gone dark. Details are still very sketchy as to the cause or when power is expected to return. Many people are using their smartphones to access the internet in hopes of getting more information from Toronto Hydro. But still no news as yet.

Within minutes of the lights going out, Twitter users adopted the hash tag #darkTO and are blogging their blackout experience and locations. To get the most updated information, check out Twitter!

More as we hear it...

UPDATE: News is breaking that the power outage is being caused by flooding at the Dufferin & Bloor power station. Here's a pic of the situation, click here.

As a result, electricity was expected to be off for 18-to-24 hours (in an area bordered by St. Clair Ave., Queen St., Spadina Ave., and Jane St.).

Affected residents were advised to seek shelter with a friend or relative because of the cold and to ensure taps and electronics were turned off.

The outage has forced a shutdown of east-west subway service through the affected area (from the Jane to Bathurst stations). About 40 shuttle buses were expected to carry passengers through the morning rush.

We've also received word of numerous Toronto District School Board and Catholic Board school closures as a result of the power outage which is still ongoing. Here is a list of schools that are *closed* for today.

Alexander Muir/Gladstone Ave J&S PS
Annette Street J&S PS (same complex as High Park Alt School JR)
Bickford Centre (same complex as West End Alt SS)
Bloor CI
Brock JPS
Brockton HS
Central Technical School
Dewson Street JPS
Dovercourt JPS
Fern Avenue PS
Garden Avenue JPS
Harbord CI
Howard JPS
Kent SPS (same complex as Alpha II Alt School)
Montrose PS
Oakwood CI
Old Orchard JPS
Ossington/Old Orchard JPS
Palmerston Avenue PS
Pauline PS (complex shared with St Sebastian Catholic Sch)
Perth Avenue PS (complex shared with St Luigi Catholic Sch)
Regal Road JPS
Shirley Street School (same complex as City View Alt School SR)
West Toronto CI
Transportation will also be cancelled for all these schools.

Catholic Board schools that are closed:

James Culnan
St. Pius
St. Cecilia
Pope Paul VI
St. Josaphat
St. Rita
St.Luigi
Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton
St. Vincent De Paul
Loretto College
St. Mary of the Angels
St. Mary - Portugal Square
St.Helen
St. Anthony
St. Sebastian
Senhor Santo Cristo
St. Luke
St. Francis of Assisi
Former St. David
Msgr. Faser
Msgr Fraser Orientation Centre
Bishop Allen
St. Raymond
St. Peter Campus
St. Bruno
Link Program - Park Place

More news on the subway closure situation...

TTC confirms that the Bloor Danforth line between St. George and Islington stations is closed as a result of the outage and shuttle buses are in place until approximately 1:30 a.m. when the blue night all-night buses will begin service. Further information from TTC will follow early in the morning as to whether or not subway service will resume in the morning on that stretch of subway.

The City of Toronto has now designated several 'reception' points for residents who do not have power or heat and need to seek shelter. Here is a list of these open reception areas:

Metro Hall, 55 John Street
York Civic Centre, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West
JJ Piccininni Community Centre, 1369 St. Clair Avenue West
Castelview Wychwood Long Term Care, 351 Christie Street
Memorial Community Centre, 44 Montgomery Road
Harrison Pool, 15 Stephanie Street
Trinity Community Recreation Centre, 15 Crawford Street

Emergency Management Ontario has some great tips on what you should or shouldn't be doing during a blackout:

- Open blinds, curtains and drapes during the day on the sunny side of your home to let sunlight and its heat during the sunny days, and close during the night. Otherwise keep them closed to keep the heat in. You may also want to use window insulation kits or plastic sheeting to add extra insulation to keep the heat in.
- If you have an elderly or disabled neighbour be a good Samaritan and check on them and if you need assistance, contact your neighbours for help.
- Listen to local radio for emergency information.
- Do not use 911 to report a power outage.
- Use caution when traveling because traffic lights may not operate.
- Use proper candle holders, never leave candles unattended and keep away from combustible materials.
- Turn off all tools, appliances and electrical equipment including tools and computers so that when power is restored there is not a heavy load on the electric system.
- Don't open your freezer or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer can keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.
- Don't use charcoal, gas barbeques or home generators indoors. They give off carbon monoxide.
- Leave one light on so you know when power is restored.
- Listen for further instructions from local public authorities.

After the power returns

- If the main electric switch was turned off, check to ensure appliances, air conditioning systems, TVs, microwave ovens and home electronics are unplugged to prevent damage from a power surge when the power is restored.
- Switch on the main electric switch.
- Give the electrical system a chance to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting all the tools and appliances.
- Check food supplies in fridge, freezers and cupboards for signs of spoilage.

For more details and tips of how to deal with a blackout, please refer to this PDF document from the Government of Canada.

Update: Power is beginning to come back online for many, but there are still pockets of the west end that are still offline. Streetcar service appears to be running normally again.

Update: Toronto Hydro is still saying that power will be out for some residents until late this evening. However, people can call 416-542-8000 to get updates on effected areas.

image: aussiegall

TAGS: Blackout, Dufferin, Electricity, Hydro, Subway