Severe winds on October 23 caused trees to fall, resulting in power outages for thousands in Southland and South Otago. Communication and water supplies were also impacted.
A state of emergency was declared for Southland and Clutha.
In an update today, PowerNet stated that only a few customers were still without power, but CEO Peter Blue emphasized that even though the state of emergency has been lifted in both regions, recovery efforts are ongoing and there is still work to be done.
Mr. Blue cautioned that while visible storm damage to the networks has been repaired, there could be hidden damage that may lead to unexpected outages in the future.
In the meantime, PowerNet staff are in contact with the remaining customers without power. Some cases involve extensive damage to service lines on their property, delaying the restoration process.
“We have been in communication with all known customers to assess their needs and provide generators to sustain them until full power is restored.
“If there are any customers who have not been contacted and are still without power, they should contact us immediately at 0800 808 587.”
Mr. Blue highlighted that over 50,000 customers have had their power restored since the storm, thanks to the collaborative efforts of PowerNet staff, industry partners, contractors, and suppliers.
“The level of network damage from this storm was unprecedented, and restoring power to so many customers is a significant achievement.”
While some crews continue to work on properties without power, the majority of PowerNet staff are now transitioning back to scheduled maintenance tasks.
“It is crucial that we resume planned maintenance promptly to ensure our networks are resilient to future weather events,” Mr. Blue stated.
“Customers will be informed by their retailers of any upcoming outages, and they can also visit our website for updates.”
Mr. Blue expressed gratitude for the support received during the severe weather event.
“The dedication of PowerNet staff, industry colleagues, contractors, suppliers, and the community as a whole during this challenging time is commendable.”
– Allied MediaÂ
