Power Outage - Updates on Measures in Place in Champlain

Champlain Township, May 24, 2022 - The Township of Champlain has put in place several temporary emergency measures following to the thunderstorms on May 21. The Township continues to monitor the situation and updates on these temporary measures will be shared with the public as they occur.

Restoration of Power

Hydro One crews have been working for several hours to try to restore the power. The damage on Cassburn Road has been repaired and the road is now clear. Work on Highway 17, Front Road and John Street is still ongoing. The Township would like to remind all road users to cooperate and avoid using closed roads to avoid further accidents.

 Residents can sign up for Hydro One's SMS alert system for updates on the situation by visiting www.hydroone.com/request-a-service/outage-alerts. At this time, Hydro One estimates that it will be able to restore the power by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25. Please keep checking Hydro One’s website as these estimated restoration time may change.

Trees and Branches

The Township of Champlain has obtained special permission from the government to temporarily reopen the municipal landfill for trees and branches. Residents can bring tree limbs, stumps, logs and branches only to the municipal landfill (1897 Cassburn Road, L'Orignal) free of charge, with proof of Champlain address:

  • Tuesday, May 24, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 25 to 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monday to Friday, May 30 to June 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday and Friday, June 9-10, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parks and Recreation crews are working in the municipal facilities to repair the damage in parks and at the campground. The Township has deployed additional staff to ensure that pick-up and clean-up of public areas are completed in a timely manner.

Champlain Township is currently working on additional emergency measures to help residents. Additional measures will be announced on our website and Facebook page.

Regular Garbage and Recycling Collection

Regular garbage and recycling collection will take place as scheduled. This week (May 22-28) and next week (May 29-June 4) only, the bag limits for garbage are being lifted to allow residents to dispose of spoiled food due to the power outage. This is not the large item collection, and only garbage in bags or garbage cans will be accepted. Construction waste and shingle pieces will not be collected.

Residents who missed the regular collection to put out their extra bags can take them to the municipal landfill free of charge during the temporary hours of operation until Saturday, May 28.

Assistance and Support

A 24-hour emergency response team is available at the L'Orignal fire station, located at 10 Elgin Street. Residents may bring their own containers to fill up on drinking water or request assistance. The Township of Champlain does not have enough generators to supply residents but can bring a generator for a few hours to accommodate residents who have sump pumps. The public water system is not affected by the outage. There is no impact for municipal water users.

Residents requiring immediate assistance should dial 911. For non-emergency assistance, please contact the Dispatch at 613-632-1105. For general inquiries, contact the Township at info@champlain.ca or 613 678-3003, option 0.

The Township of Champlain does not require volunteers at this time. If you want to help, check with your neighbours and friends to see if you can store food in your fridge or freezer, offer your shower or help out in any other way.

Open Air Fires - Free Permit

Despite the situation, the Township of Champlain reminds residents that for safety reasons only it is forbidden to have an open-air fire without a permit. Please note that open-air fires are not permitted at any time in the urban areas of L'Orignal and Vankleek Hill.

However, the Township has decided to suspend the permit fee for open air fires. It is still mandatory to have a permit for safety reasons. To get a fire permit, please fill out the form on our website (champlain.ca/permits) and send it to info@champlain.ca.

Municipal Services

The Town Hall, located at 948 Pleasant Corner Road East, and the Building and By-Law Office, located at 925 County Road 17, are open to the public. For any inquiry, please use the online action request form at champlain.ca/request.

Prevention and Safety

During a Power Outage

If your neighbours' power is back, check your own circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, check the service wires leading to the house. If they are obviously damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters back and notify Hydro One.

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.

Never use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors or in garages. They give off carbon monoxide. Because you can't smell or see it, carbon monoxide can cause health problems and is life-threatening.

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, computer, and DVD players with a surge-protecting powerbar.

Using a Generator Safely at Home

Home generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage, but must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. A back-up generator may only be connected to your home's electrical system through an approved transfer panel and switch that has been installed by a qualified electrician. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet as serious injury can result when the current produced by the home generator is fed back into the electrical lines, and transformed to a higher voltage. This can endanger the lives of utility employees working to restore the power.

To operate a generator safely:

  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Ensure that the generator operates outdoors in well-ventilated conditions, well away from doors or windows, and never in your garage, to prevent exhaust gases from entering the house.
  • Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly rated, CSA-approved cords.

After a Power Outage

Give the electrical system a chance to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances. Turn the heating-system thermostats up first, followed in a couple of minutes by reconnection of the fridge and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting all other tools and appliances.

Check food supplies in refrigerators, freezers and cupboards for signs of spoilage. Discard any thawed food that has been at room temperature for two or more hours, and any food that has an obvious unusual colour or odour. Keep in mind that food contaminated with bacteria does not necessarily smell bad or appear spoiled.

Restock your emergency kit so the supplies will be there when needed again.

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