Myth vs. fact: The truth about power outages
Published: July 17, 2026
Summary
- It’s not always instant or certain: we usually know about outages quickly, but not always and restoration times can change as crews figure out what’s actually wrong
- Safety can slow things down: crews need safe conditions and access before they can start or continue repairs, especially in bad weather or busy areas
- Outages aren’t just caused by equipment issues: weather and outside factors cause many outages, and planned outages, including maintenance, help prevent bigger problems later
When the lights go out, the first question is often, “What happened?”— followed by many more. Power outages can raise a lot of questions, and there are still many misconceptions about what causes them and how utilities respond.
Let’s clear up some of the most common myths about power outages and what you should know instead.
❌ Myth 1: Utilities know about every outage immediately.
✅ Fact: In most cases, yes, but not always. Outages are detected automatically through smart systems. But others, especially smaller or localized outages, may depend on customers reporting them.
Tip: If your power is out, report it at 416-542-8000 (press 1).
❌ Myth 2: Utilities can provide exact restoration times right away.
✅ Fact: An estimated time of restoration (ETR) is our best estimate based on all available information, and it can change.
At the start of an outage, the full extent of the damage isn’t always known. Once crews arrive on site, they will assess the damage, investigate the issue and determine how to safely make repairs. This allows for a more accurate ETA.
Timelines can shift due to factors like:
- Traffic and access to the site
- Damage complexity
- Extreme weather conditions
- Safety risks
- Materials required for repairs
❌ Myth 3: Crews can restore power quickly no matter the conditions.
✅ Fact: Crews must first get to the site safely.
In a busy city like Toronto, crews must navigate traffic and road conditions on the same roads as the rest of us. Restoration work can only start once they arrive safely on site.
❌ Myth 4: Crews can work in any weather to restore power.
✅ Fact: Safety always comes first.
Even in severe weather, such as lightning storms or high winds, crews may need to wait until conditions are safe before starting or continuing repairs. While this can delay restoration, it’s necessary to protect both workers and the public.
❌ Myth 5: Most outages are caused by equipment failure.
✅ Fact: Weather is one of the leading causes of outages.
While equipment issues do happen, severe weather is a major driver of outages. We prepare for extreme weather ahead of time by closely monitoring conditions and proactively engaging crews to be on standby for any outages, allowing us to respond as quickly and safely as possible when outages do happen. Despite these preparations, extreme weather can damage powerlines, poles and infrastructure, often affecting large areas.
Other common causes include foreign interference (including animal contact and vehicle accidents), tree contact and equipment failure.
❌ Myth 6: It’s safe to approach crews to ask for updates.
✅ Fact: Crews need space to work safely. Electrical work can be very dangerous and requires full attention.
For your safety and theirs, keep a safe distance. Don’t worry, there are people behind the scenes monitoring the situation and sharing updates as they become available. For the latest outage information, check official channels, including our outage map and @TorontoHydro on X.
❌ Myth 7: Older neighbourhoods have less reliable power.
✅ Fact: Reliability depends on many factors, not just age.
Ongoing maintenance, infrastructure upgrades and environmental conditions all play a role in system reliability.
❌ Myth 8: Planned outages are avoidable.
✅ Fact: Planned outages are necessary to safely upgrade infrastructure and perform maintenance to prevent bigger issues.
Scheduled outages allow crews to safely upgrade and maintain the system. While they may be inconvenient, they help improve long-term reliability and reduce the risk of unexpected outages. If there’s a planned outage in your area, we will let you know ahead of time so you can prepare.
The bottom line
Power outages can be frustrating, so we want to make sure you have all the information to keep you safe and informed about what’s happening behind the scenes.
When outages happen:
- Stay informed through official channels
- Report issues when you can
- Always prioritize safety
When the power goes out, our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service and turn the lights back on.