Quick Answer
When the power goes out in Ontario, check the Hydro One Outage Map on the website or mobile app first. It updates every 10 minutes and shows the number of customers affected, the crew status, and the estimated time of restoration for your address.
Report a new outage by calling 1-800-434-1235, texting OUT to 92887, or using the Hydro One app.
Treat any downed power line as live. Stay at least 10 metres away and call 911 immediately.
Why Hydro One Outages Matter in 2026
Electricity is the lifeblood of the modern home, and when the grid goes down it causes immediate stress. For millions of residents across Ontario, Hydro One is the primary electricity transmission and distribution service provider. Whether it is a severe spring thunderstorm rolling through Northern Ontario or a scheduled maintenance window in your local municipality, knowing how to navigate a Hydro One outage is essential.
In May 2026 the province has already seen significant grid activity, from intense storms knocking out power and downing trees around Mattawa to large planned outages upgrading aging infrastructure across the City of Kawartha Lakes.
How to Use the Hydro One Outage Map
When the power drops, your first instinct should be to check the Hydro One Outage Map. Accessible through the official website or the Hydro One mobile app, it is the most accurate way to get real time information for your specific address.
The map updates every 10 minutes and uses a colour coded clustering system to display outage severity. Zoom in on your region and click an outage icon to see:
- Customers affected: the total number of households and businesses without power in that grid sector.
- Crew status: "Dispatched", "Under investigation", "Crew working in the area", or "Pending safe access" when crews cannot reach the site due to weather or flooding.
- Estimated time of restoration (ETR): Hydro One's best guess. During widespread storms ETRs can shift as crews assess damage.
Unplanned Outages vs. Planned Outages
| Type | Trigger | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Unplanned | Storms, lightning, ice, vehicle collisions with poles | No warning. Restoration prioritises hospitals and water plants first |
| Planned | Scheduled infrastructure upgrades | Notice by mail, text, or automated call days or weeks in advance |
The May 2026 thunderstorms across northeastern Ontario downed hydro poles on Burke Drive in Mattawa, while the planned overnight outage across Kawartha Lakes affected more than 16,000 customers so crews could replace critical hardware safely.
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
Being proactive is the best way to take the sting out of a blackout. Every Ontario household should keep a simple emergency kit and a power loss protocol.
- Build an emergency kit: high lumen LED flashlights, spare batteries, a first aid kit, a battery powered or hand crank radio, and at least three days of non perishable food and bottled water.
- Protect your electronics: unplug TVs, desktops, and consoles when the power goes out. Surges when the grid is restored can fry sensitive chips. Good surge protectors are cheap insurance.
- Manage your fridge and freezer: keep doors closed. A full fridge holds for about 4 hours, a full deep freezer up to 48 hours.
- Generator safety: never run a gas generator inside a house, garage, or partially enclosed patio. Generators produce lethal carbon monoxide. Place outside, well away from windows and air intakes.
What to Do If You See a Downed Power Line
After a severe storm you may find downed hydro lines on your property or across a roadway. Treat every downed wire as live and highly dangerous.
Do not attempt to move the wire, even with a wooden stick or broom. Keep a distance of at least 10 metres (33 feet). Call 911 immediately to report the hazard, then contact the Hydro One emergency hotline so they can dispatch a crew to de-energise the grid in that area.
Restoration Priorities You Should Understand
Hydro One does not restore power in the order outages are reported. The priority is public safety. Crews repair transmission lines first, then critical infrastructure like hospitals, water treatment plants, and emergency services, before moving to large neighbourhoods and finally isolated rural homes. If you are on a small spur line at the end of a rural road, expect a longer wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a Hydro One outage?
Call the emergency line at 1-800-434-1235, text OUT to 92887, or use the reporting feature in the Hydro One mobile app.
Why does my neighbour have power when I do not?
The grid is complex. Your home may be on a different circuit or feeder line than the house across the street. The issue may also be localised to the service mast connecting the lines to your house, which is the homeowner's responsibility to repair.
How often does the Hydro One outage map update?
The outage map and the mobile app update automatically every 10 minutes.
Will I be compensated for food that spoiled during an outage?
Generally Hydro One does not reimburse customers for spoiled food after weather related or planned outages. Check whether your home insurance policy covers food spoilage.
The Bottom Line
The simple plan is: check the map, report the outage, keep doors closed, treat downed wires as live, and have a kit ready before the next storm hits. A small amount of preparation turns a stressful blackout into a quiet evening with the candles out.
