Crews working to reconnect customers – 3pm update
Field crews throughout Powerco’s electricity network have been out since this morning reconnecting customers’ power as stormy weather continues to batter the country.
Downed power lines and damaged equipment are the two main causes following strong gales blowing tree branches and other debris into lines, cutting power.
As at 3pm today, crews were responding to 58 jobs affecting approximately 400 customers throughout Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui, Manawatū, Coromandel, Thames, Waihi and South Waikato areas.
The stormy weather is expected to last until Wednesday afternoon.
Powerco Head of Network Operations Caz Haydon says extra crews were called in yesterday and will continue into the evening to work through jobs and restore power to customers when safe to do so.
“Our crews are doing a fantastic job in challenging conditions. As the high winds continue, we may see more network damage and power outages, even as we repair and restore other parts of the network,” she says.
“When winds are high, it’s unsafe for crews to work at height using elevated work platforms and ladders so we’ll stand them down and wait for the weather to subside. In some areas, the heavy rainfall could also cause access issues in terms of flooding, slips and road closures.
“We know it’s frustrating waiting to be reconnected and we would like to thank all our customers for their patience as we work to get their power back on as quickly and safely as possible.”
In the event of an emergency such as power lines coming down, people should ring emergency services on 111 or call Powerco’s 24/7 emergency line on 0800 27 27 27.
Customers wanting information about power cuts can go to Powerco’s power outage webpage https://www.powerco.co.nz/outages or can contact their electricity retailer.
Downed power lines and damaged equipment are the two main causes following strong gales blowing tree branches and other debris into lines, cutting power.
As at 3pm today, crews were responding to 58 jobs affecting approximately 400 customers throughout Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui, Manawatū, Coromandel, Thames, Waihi and South Waikato areas.
The stormy weather is expected to last until Wednesday afternoon.
Powerco Head of Network Operations Caz Haydon says extra crews were called in yesterday and will continue into the evening to work through jobs and restore power to customers when safe to do so.
“Our crews are doing a fantastic job in challenging conditions. As the high winds continue, we may see more network damage and power outages, even as we repair and restore other parts of the network,” she says.
“When winds are high, it’s unsafe for crews to work at height using elevated work platforms and ladders so we’ll stand them down and wait for the weather to subside. In some areas, the heavy rainfall could also cause access issues in terms of flooding, slips and road closures.
“We know it’s frustrating waiting to be reconnected and we would like to thank all our customers for their patience as we work to get their power back on as quickly and safely as possible.”
In the event of an emergency such as power lines coming down, people should ring emergency services on 111 or call Powerco’s 24/7 emergency line on 0800 27 27 27.
Customers wanting information about power cuts can go to Powerco’s power outage webpage https://www.powerco.co.nz/outages or can contact their electricity retailer.
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