Storms cause black outs in Great Southern - 11.00 am update
Release Date: 14 July 2008
Western Power expects power to be restored to all customers by lunch time today.
Only a small number of single customer faults and some outerlying faults currently remain, affecting approximately 50 customers.
Western Power is continuing to find hazards, like powerlines down, that have not been reported. This could mean that Western Power is unaware of some faults affecting customers. Western Power is asking any customers who have not had their power restored by lunchtime today to contact Western Power and log their fault on 13 13 51.
Customers who have been without power for more than 12 hours are eligible for a rebate of $80 (the extended outage payment scheme), residents can apply for this on-line or call 13 10 87 and have a claim form sent out.
Western Power would like to thank customers in the Great Southern, particularly in Denmark and Walpole for their patience while Western Power crews worked in difficult conditions to restore power.
4.30pm update - 11 July 2008
Western Power is continuing to assess the damage associated with the storm that crossed the coast early this morning.
Currently 10,000 properties are without power; over 7,000 properties have had power restored.
Some examples of work currently being undertaken:
- Power poles are being replaced along the Denmark feeder with the use of excavators as the soil is very boggy.
- A pole on North Road in Albany town currently being replaced, once replaced will assist getting a number of customers back on.
- Power has now been restored to the outskirts of Denmark town and we are close to restoring power to Denmark town itself.
- Power to Denmark town will be restored once some downed powerlines are isolated in the townsite.
- Western Power expects the majority of Denmark town to have power restored this evening.
- Work to restore power to Walpole can then commence.
- Western Power will attempt to restore power to Walpole this evening, however this will depend on if further damage is located once power to Denmark is established.
- While Bremer Bay has power through its back up generators, Western Power is currently attempting to restore their connection to the network.
- Western Power expects the majority of customers in Albany town to have power back on this evening however there are a number of single customer faults and some small multiple customer faults that are expected to remain off this evening.
Over 130 hazards have been reported to Western Power as a result of the storm, including poles, wires down and debris in powerlines.
To ensure the safety of emergency service personnel and the general public, crews need to identify hazards and make the area safe before being able to restore power.
Western Power asks residents in the Great Southern to be patient while its crews work to restore power.
Further information on restorations times will be available when damage has been assessed. It is expected that some parts of the Great Southern may be without power for extended periods.
Areas affected include parts of Albany, Denmark and Walpole.
Western Power crews have been brought in from Narrogin, Katanning, Margaret River and Bunbury to assist in restoring power to the Great Southern.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
