Tag: toronto community housing

This is an update to the previous blog, Ice Storm Updates from Toronto-Dec. 24- and Ontario-Dec. 25, 2013.

Toronto’s Update for Dec. 27

• Hydro in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  
  • Toronto Hydro is reporting that approximately 32,480 customers are now without power.
  • Crews are currently focusing on neighbourhoods and individual homes still affected by outages.
    • The utility is closely monitoring the weather.
      • If winds pick up this could trigger more outages.
  • The City’s Emergency Operations Centre has been working closely with Toronto Police Services, Toronto Hydro, the TTC and TCHC (Toronto Community Housing) through door-to-door canvassing to identify vulnerable residents that require special assistance.
  • There are currently 38 City Forestry crews and 16 contractor crews out today working closely with Toronto Hydro.
    • The Forestry crews work to clear downed trees and fallen branches and facilitate access for hydro crews to work on power restoration.
    • Additional forestry crews from across the province are currently responding to assist Toronto’s forestry staff with debris removal.
  • All motorists, especially truck drivers, are urged to watch for low hanging wires particularly on residential streets.
• Exercise extreme caution when using candles.
• The Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police Services are now conducting wellness checks at high-rise buildings that have been without power since December 21.
• City staff from Transportation, Forestry and Solid Waste Management are working together to address tree debris.
  • Clearing of debris is well underway on major roadways, with a priority on public safety.
  • Crews are currently pushing tree debris to the side of the roads to make them safe and passable, and will focus on residential streets in the coming days.
  • Work to clear tree debris is expected to continue for approximately six weeks, weather permitting.
  • Tree branches that have fallen on private property and are of a manageable size that can be dragged to the City’s right-of-way (i.e., to the curb) will be picked up.
    • Please do not place debris on the sidewalk.
  • Large limb or stem (body) wood from private trees that have fallen on private property should not be taken to the curb.
    • Property owners should contact a private contractor to remove this material.
  • Homeowners do not require a City permit to remove damaged or downed trees. Please use a professional arborist to ensure safety.
  • City crews cannot go onto private property to clear private trees that have fallen on private property.
  • For residents that live in the Asian long-horned beetle quarantine area in Etobicoke, the City crews and private contractors will dispose of this debris in the prescribed manner.
    • Do not take this wood out of the federal quarantine area.
    • You can see more information at http://www.toronto.ca/trees .
• Toronto Roads and Traffic
  • The number of signalized intersections without power continues to decrease.
    • An estimated 100 traffic signals remain without power.
    • Transportation Services expects that number will decrease further today.
  • The City is working closely with Toronto Police to provide point-duty at intersections that require it.
  • Motorists are reminded to treat any intersection without functioning signal lights as an all-way stop.
  • Salting operations continue today on main roads, and collector roads, local roads and sidewalks, with TTC stops a priority.
  • Truck drivers are asked to watch for low hanging wires on residential streets.
  • Parking consideration will be provided for residents who park on the street beyond posted times due to limited access to icy driveways.
• Food, Water, Warmth and Rest
  • Approximately 450 people were accommodated last night.
  • In addition to the 13 Toronto Police Service facilities as listed in the previous blog, here is an amended list of Toronto Community Centre locations:
    Continue reading “Ice Storm Updates from Toronto and Ontario Dec. 27, 2013”