Far North power outages – Update #3

As at 0600hrs this morning approximately 12,800 Far North households are without power following the severe storm experienced across the region yesterday and last night. The three areas most impacted by the outages are Taipa (3,750 properties), Pukenui (1,700), and Russell (1,400).

Approximately 9,000 households were without power overnight, following an extensive worsening of the conditions from 7pm.

Top Energy is reassuring those who continue to experience a power outage that the company is aware of all the main lines that still need to be repaired and will send crews to these sites as soon as possible.

Damage to the electricity network across the Far North is extensive. Electricity poles have been blown down, uprooted and even snapped and large 50-60 year-old trees have been blown down across lines and access roads.

The company’s repair crews were at work all day yesterday and overnight. The appalling conditions have eased considerably and linesmen will be on site from 0600 to start re-connecting people as quickly as possible as soon as there is enough daylight to work safely. Repair work today will only be done where it is safe and practical to do so.

They will attend to damage to main feeder lines first, followed by smaller lines and individual ‘no power’ faults.

There are still significant access issues, though, as many trees have been downed across the region and there is extensive flooding.

Lines to some individual homes may have been damaged. If any householders remain without power after noon today they should contact the Top Energy call centre on 0800 867363.

Top Energy is asking members of the public to remain clear of downed powerlines at all times, to keep other people clear and also to keep animals away.

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