12 June 2006 3pm

Auckland power outage - update #5

Updated information:

* Power has been restored to most areas of the city, with Mt Albert the last to be brought back on line. Problems remain due to storm damage rather than network faults.

* If you have power, you can now flush your toilet. If you have no power, please don't flush as this risks overloading the wastewater system.

* Further high winds are expected overnight with an increase in the morning. Stay tuned to the latest weather information through the news media.

Advice for tonight:

* Don't refreeze thawed food; throw food away if it has been thawing for more than two hours.

* Don't use the roads unless it is really necessary as traffic lights may still be affected by the power outage.

* If power is not restored to your area, consider spending the night at a family or friend's house.

* Get out extra blankets before nightfall to ensure you are warm.

* If you are using candles, be extra vigilant around children to make sure that candles are properly extinguished

>From previous updates:

* There are no roads closed at this stage, but people should take extra care when travelling this evening.

* There could be some localised flooding if weather conditions worsen and high winds could bring down trees and/or power lines which could block roads. * Some public transport services, including buses and trains, are operating, but people should check with operators, particularly if the weather deteriorates. Fullers ferry services are dependent on favourable weather conditions.

* People are advised to check on neighbours, elderly relatives or friends and others who may be vulnerable to make sure they are managing.

* Auckland City's Emergency Operations Centre has made contact with the majority of the city's rest homes to ensure that their residents are managing. No problems have been reported at this stage.

* People are advised to ensure that they have workable torches at home because the high winds mean power could be cut at any time during the night.

The situation:

* The power outage was caused by a fault on the Transpower network where an earth line snapped and fell across a 110 kv feeder line from the Otahuhu substation.

* Auckland City Council's emergency operations centre has been activated.

* The Fire Service is advising people to check construction and building sites to ensure that material cannot be swept away by the high winds.

* Building owners should check their lifts to make sure no one is trapped. They should contact their lift maintenance staff or if it's an emergency call the Fire Service. They should check their lifts again when power is back on.

* In the areas where there is no power, petrol stations will not be able to pump fuel, but at this stage, there are no region-wide petrol supply problems.

ENDS

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