Far North power outages - Update at Midnight Saturday

Top Energy reports, as at Midnight, Saturday 29/01:

There is currently 1 major line fault remaining in the area of Towai, where fast flowing floodwaters in Kawakawa and Landslides in Opua have prevented access to the area during today
Across the Far North region, there are still around 120 power consumers without supply
Top Energy expects to continue to identify localised areas without supply, as people return to their homes over the weekend.

Top Energy reports, as at 9:00pm Saturday:

There are currently 2 major line faults, within the areas of Towai and Awarua.
Top Energy is also identifying localised areas without supply which are now being reported as people are being allowed back to their homes
Across the region, there are around 120 power consumers without supply
The two major faults are as a result of landslides bringing trees into contact with overhead lines.
Access continues to remain difficult in some areas due to flooding, landslides and debris blocking roads. In particular Towai (Kawakawa), where all roads into the region remain flooded or blocked by landslides.

Top Energy reports, as at 6:30pm Saturday:

There are currently 3 line faults, within the areas of Towai, Awarua and Kohumaru
Approximately 70 power consumers are without supply
All three faults are as a result of landslides bringing trees into contact with overhead lines. (In the case of Kohumaru, over 25 pine trees have bought the 11kV line down in one landslip)
Access remains difficult in some areas due to flooding, landslides and debris blocking roads.

Original Media Release:

Described by a WeatherWatch analyst as the most significant storm to hit New Zealand in 14 years, ex-tropical cyclone Wilma caused localised power outages for some Far North power consumers overnight.

Substantial rain fell over the region with many areas receiving more than 200mm in a 15 hour period. Maximum rainfall intensities ranged between 15 - 40mm per hour.

Extensive flooding, major slips and falling trees caused 8 separate power outages across Top Energy's network - all within the Eastern Bays, Kaeo and Whangaroa areas.

Around 2,500 power consumers were affected at various times from early to late evening Friday, with approximately 900 remaining without power overnight, as Top Energy line crews struggled to gain access to downed lines because of extensive flooding and road closures.

According to Top Energy, General Manager Networks, Keith Gilby, line crews have been working hard in atrocious conditions to restore power. "As of 3:30pm today (Saturday) there remain around 200 power consumers without supply. We are continuing to work closely with Civil Defence to ensure supplies can be restored safely to the remaining customers affected, once the roads have been cleared and the floodwaters have subsided", he said.
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