June 23, 2026 When Severe Weather Hits, Powerline Plus Restores Power Swiftly and Safely
Powerline Plus proved to be a trusted partner in the face of a dangerous Ontario ice storm
First came the rain.
Then, when temperatures dropped below freezing, that rain – which had been falling for days – turned to ice. In a matter of days, southeastern Ontario was quite literally frozen solid.
After the freeze, a severe windstorm wreaked havoc, with the Orillia and Peterborough area suffering the most catastrophic damage. Infrastructure and nature alike, rendered brittle by the ice, were felled by the strong gusts tearing across the region. More than 600,000 Hydro One customers were without power amid freezing temperatures, widespread property destruction, and a severely damaged power grid.
Once the worst of the storm settled, Hydro One, Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution service provider, called in Toronto-based electrical contractor and MYR Group subsidiary Powerline Plus Ltd. (Powerline Plus) to assist with power restoration efforts in their central region. The task was immense, but with their extensive in-house fleet resources, capable and experienced crew members, and familiarity with the region, Powerline Plus was ready.
Rapid Mobilization and Vast Scope
Hydro One called Powerline Plus on April 1. The following morning, crews were mobilized, and within the next 24 hours they were on the ground- fully equipped and assessing damage to begin restoration.
Powerline Plus took on a substation service area of approximately 35 to 40 square kilometers (or 15 square miles) – where every powerline, pole, and connection stemming from a local distribution station fell under their care. Approximately 60 team members were deployed, supported by a fleet of specialized vehicles and heavy equipment transported from Toronto, including mini excavators, backhoes, and a dedicated fuel truck.
Extreme Conditions Meet Unwavering Dedication to Safety
When working to restore power after a storm of this magnitude and across such a vast region, there was no shortage of challenges. Crews faced freezing temperatures, snow, falling ice, and ice-laden trees collapsing under their own weight. Many roads were impassable, requiring Powerline Plus to build temporary access routes to reach the structures. Working across forests, farmland, and remote properties, the teams often had no cell service, instead relying on long-range radios and Starlink connectivity to coordinate efforts.
Despite these conditions, the teams put the upmost focus on ensuring work was being done safely, which resulted in zero recordable safety incidents or lost time.
The responsibility of restoring electricity to customers without power in such severe weather drove Powerline Plus’ efficiency and dedication to the job, but the emergency mindset did not impede safety. The team took care to work cautiously and not skip steps, especially in a situation where urgency can easily compromise caution.
“The habits we developed as a company translated into this emergency job,” said Kushan Vakil, a construction manager at Powerline Plus, “We ensured that whatever task we were doing, we did not get complacent.”
Their safety mindset was shared at all levels of the company, from the field crews who took the time to do things the right way, to leadership overseeing exhaustion levels caused by long hours, and ensuring everyone was properly fed, hydrated, and kept warm.
Constant communication with the client was also critical. Every time the team identified damage, they communicated with Hydro One to ensure all lines were de-energized and properly permitted before beginning work. Additionally, Powerline Plus leadership met daily with Hydro One to discuss safety. These discussions were then directly relayed to those in the field in the form of toolbox talks, ensuring everyone working was fully informed.
Collaboration and Capability Lead to Trust and Transparency
As restoration efforts unfolded, Powerline Plus’ range of services quickly proved to be invaluable to the efficiency of the work. Beyond electrical work, Powerline Plus provided civil and fleet support, transporting additional heavy equipment to help reconstruct damaged infrastructure.
Powerline Plus’ collaborative spirit, dedication to the job, and expansive capabilities quickly earned the client’s trust. While client inspections of work sites are common practice, Hydro One found they could do this less frequently, trusting Powerline Plus to do the job right and allowing the client to allocate their time and resources elsewhere. They also knew they could trust Powerline Plus to work in the most critical locations and would often deploy them to areas that needed support.
Supporting Isolated Communities
These storm restoration efforts took place in remote regions of Ontario. This meant longer commutes from Powerline Plus’ headquarters and a very expansive energy grid in which to patrol for damage and make repairs. With electricity and heat out and temperatures below freezing, time was of the essence. Powerline Plus’ ability to be resourceful and precise in their planning minimized travel time and increased work efficiency.
Powerline Plus even managed to bring electricity back to a community living on an island whose power was cut off by the storm. The crews rented barges to cross the water and rectify the infrastructure.
Throughout the 11 days on site, the appreciation from local residents was deeply felt, reminding crews of the ultimate impact of their 16 hour, 7-day work weeks.
“I went to a coffee shop, and an elderly gentleman offered me a $10 bill and said, ‘We really do appreciate all your help and what you did for us,’” recalled Mihir Joshi, Powerline Plus project coordinator.
Homeowners even went so far as to email the Powerline Plus crews thanking them for their tireless dedication.
“It really boosted the morale of the crews working out there,” Vakil said.
A Trusted Partner in Crisis
Powerline Plus’ emergency response to this storm was a testament to what the company stands for: safety, reliability, and community. Their preparedness, equipment resources, collaboration, and expertise ensured not only a successful restoration to the region’s power, but a deeper trust for future collaborations with the client.
In the face of rain, ice, wind, and snow, Powerline Plus prevailed in turning the lights of their communities back on.