If you live in the Cobourg or Colborne area and have lost power due to the winter storm, it may take 12 to 24 hours to be restored.
According to a media release from the Town of Cobourg issued on Friday afternoon (December 24), Lakefront Utility Services Inc. is responding to multiple outages in the Cobourg and Colborne area due to the inclement weather.
“Unfortunately, the heavy winds and snow have created an unsafe work environment for crews,” the media release states. “Due to the unsafe conditions, restoration time may take 12 to 24 hours.”
Residents with power are asked to check in with family and friends and see if they require a place to stay for the evening. For those who are without power and in urgent need to get warm, call the Cobourg Community Centre at 905-372-7371. Staff are monitoring the line and can assist those in need.
Crews will work as quickly and safely to restore power to all impacted customers when safe to do so. Wind gusts of up to 110 km/h are forecast to continue until early Saturday morning.
If you experience downed wires in your area, remain at least 10 metres away and do not touch any debris in the area. To report an outage, call 905-372-2193.
Residents without power are asked to follow these suggestions:
- Don’t open your freezer or fridge unless it is necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.
- Never use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors. They give off carbon monoxide. Because you can’t smell or see it, carbon monoxide can cause health problems and is life-threatening.
- Use proper candle holders. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep out of reach of children. Always extinguish candles before going to bed.
- Keep your doors closed to ensure heat remains in the house as best as possible.
- Turn off all tools, appliances, and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored. Also, power can be restored more easily when there is not a heavy load on the electrical system.
- Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so that both you and hydro crews outside know that power has been restored.
- Make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detector. If it is hard-wired to the house’s electrical supply, ensure it has a battery-powered back-up.
- Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as TVs, and computers with a surge-protecting power bar. For those without serge-protectors, unplug sensitive electrical appliances.
