Bluewater Power is lending a helping hand to neighbouring areas to restore power in communities affected by the recent winter storm.
A messy mix of winter weather swept through southwestern Ontario on Wednesday.
Hydro One reported widespread power outages on Thursday, spanning from Windsor to the Port Dover area.
Power outages across southwestern Ontario as of 10 a.m. Thursday. February 23, 2023. (Screenshot of Hydro One's outage map)
Bluewater Power President and CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis said four workers and two trucks will help restore power in the Chatham area on Thursday.
"We'll play it by ear, and we'll see, I'm hoping they'll be back by the end of the day," she said. "We'll reassess tomorrow depending upon how many of our neighbours need help."
Overall, McMichael-Dennis said there were a few small outages in Bluewater Power's coverage area Wednesday night.
One of the utility's most interesting encounters was on Highway 402 after a wire came down.
"Due to the position of the pole where the line came down, you had to do it old school, you couldn't actually use a bucket truck. So we had one of our young, exceptional superstar lineman pole climbing -- if you can imagine -- to the top of the pole in the ice, and sleet, and rain, and snow," said McMichael-Dennis.
"It was certainly an impressive site to see and it certainly made you marvel at the magic of linework and the dangers that these people go to."
She said the fix was also made possible with help from Lambton OPP who temporarily closed the highway in both directions.
"Overall, our system held fabulously well. Our crews were amazing, all of our staff were amazing, everybody was so well prepared," she said.