By TOM HAYES
AUSNET has confirmed this weeks weather event is the longest sustained impacting the power network in more than 10 years.
The company released an update around 4.30pm on Thursday, August 29.
“Since the start of the wild weather on Sunday, we’ve had around 93,000 customer outages. Some of our customers have been impacted more than once. We recognise that this is challenging for households and businesses, and can assure the community that we are doing everything we can to restore power as quickly as possible,” AUSNET provided in a statement.
“The primary cause of these outages is damage to powerlines and poles caused by fallen trees, branches and debris.
“We have over 400 personnel and two helicopters in the impacted areas today (Thursday, August 29) and are well resourced for any further faults that emerge. Our priority, in addition to focusing on long duration outages, is to restore power to faults affecting large numbers of customers.
“We currently have approximately 2000 customers without power. The most impacted areas are in Cardinia Shire, Baw Baw Shire and Yarra Ranges, with largest single fault in Drouin (523 off-supply).
“While weather conditions have been less severe today, we expect conditions to deteriorate overnight and continue to impact our network through to Monday. When customers do have power, we encourage them to get prepared by charging mobile devices and batteries. Further tips can be found on our website: https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/outages.
“Customers should take care around any downed powerlines, and always assume they are live, even though they may be de-energised, and report to our faults and emergencies line on 13 17 99.
“If a customer receives an SMS that power has been restored and they’re still without power, check all the switches are facing up on your switchboard then follow the steps in our Report a fault form: www.ausnetservices.com.au/outages/report-a-fault.”
GUSTS of wind were recorded at speeds in excess of 100km/h across the state in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28.
In Gippsland, 112 call-outs were made to the SES between 2pm on Tuesday, August 27 and 9.30am on August 28, with most of which regarding fallen trees. Of which, Morwell had 22 call-outs and Moe had 17.
Ninety-seven call-outs to SES were regarding fallen trees and eight were for building damage in the region.
Trees were being cleared all morning throughout the Latrobe Valley, as residents woke up to the destruction of the severe winds.
The Warragul Incident Control Centre recorded 93 requests for assistance between Moe (46 requests) and Morwell (47) alone. Twenty-one of Moe’s requests were regarding building damage.
Tyers Road, between Tyers and Traralgon was blocked momentarily while SES crews cleared the area after a tree landed on the road.
More trees were spotted to have fallen in Hazelwood North, Yallourn North, Moe, Newborough, Morwell, Boolarra, and Toongabbie.
The SES has informed Victorians to take heed of community warnings via the VicEmergency app and/or the website, and if travelling check VicTraffic for road closures.
More recently, a tree fell on Monash Way between Yinnar and Boolarra, which subsequently blocked the road.
AusNet is making good progress restoring power outages caused by the weather, primarily impacting customers in central and eastern Victoria.
More than 10,000 Victorian customers were without power as a result of 78 individual faults at the peak during the event. AusNet intend to have all the customers’ power restored by 6pm on August 28.
Just over 2000 of those customers were based in Gippsland. From a Latrobe Valley point of view, Mirboo North/Boolarra residents made up 130 of those outages, Thorpdale had 64, Moe had 43, and Trafalgar had 29.
The majority of outages are caused by fallen trees, branches and debris hitting powerlines.
Over 9000 Victorian customers are still without power, as of 1pm on August 28.
Outages occurred in the towns of Traralgon and Morwell, which has seen traffic lights out of operation or flashing. This instance has been seen on the highway near Latrobe Regional Health, Traralgon and Mid Valley, Morwell.
The Great Moscow Circus, currently stopped in Traralgon across the road from the racecourse, had to pull down the major tent, with fear the strong winds could cause more damage.
An advice warning for severe weather remains on alert for central and southern parts of Victoria, including alpine areas.
More to come.
