October 1, 2021
Thursday night’s storm in the South Burnett should be enough to remind us the storm season is well and truly back.
Ergon Energy is urging Queenslanders to be prepared for power interruptions caused by severe weather.
Spokesperson Max Hogan said while crews across the State were ready to respond to emergencies 24/7, it was not always a quick fix.
“Storms can cause severe damage to the power network over a wide area and crews can be delayed by dangerous conditions,” he said.
“They need safe access to assess damage to the network before they can begin emergency repairs, so we do ask for the community’s patience and encourage everyone to be prepared for power outages when storms are forecast.
“The weather is obviously beyond our control, but we can all take steps to reduce the risks and impact of outages.”
Mr Hogan said securing or stowing items with the potential to become dangerous projectiles, such as trampolines and outdoor furniture, could reduce the risk of property damage and injuries.
“Take a look around your yard for anything that could be blown away in strong winds – you’d be amazed at what we find tangled up in powerlines every storm season,” he said.
“Fallen trees and flying branches can also cause a lot of damage, so we ramp up our vegetation management program in the lead-up to storm season, but if you see any trees growing close to powerlines, report them to Ergon on 13-16-70.”
Downed powerlines can be difficult to see when they’re entangled in branches and other debris, so it is all important to “take care and stay line aware” when cleaning up after a storm.
“Once the threat of severe weather passes, life-threatening electrical hazards could be just around the corner,” Mr Hogan said.
“Look out for fallen powerlines, stay well away from them and report them to Triple 0.
“When the power comes back on at your property, if your lights are dim or flickering it could be a sign something is wrong so please call our faults team on 13-22-96.”
Mr Hogan said while crews would always aim to restore power as soon as practically possible, more extensive damage might take days to fix and customers should be prepared for the worst-case scenario when there was a severe weather warning in their area.
“It’s a bit like planning a camping trip – replace your torch batteries, charge your mobile devices and invest in a portable power bank, fill water containers and barbecue gas bottles, check your generator is in good working order and ensure you have an adequate fuel supply,” he said.
“Rest assured we’ll be working to get the power back on and keep everyone safe, but these things can take time so a bit of preparation can help a lot.”
