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BLOG: Extreme weather day – 16 December 2024
16 December, 2024
Welcome to our blog of today’s conditions and impacts on the power network. The most recent updates will appear at the top of this page. For LIVE outage information visit our outage map.
4pm – Crews are busy
We’re continuing to restore power for customers as extreme temperatures and strong winds continue to hit parts of state.
The photo above was taken in Lara this afternoon, where our Geelong crews have been busy making significant repairs to infrastructure in the area.
A cool change has started moving through western and northern Victoria. With storm activity and lightning forecast in some areas, extra crews are ready to respond safely and quickly if the power network is affected.
Today’s extreme fire danger means we are operating our bushfire safety devices on the power network in a more sensitive setting than usual to protect communities and reduce fire risk.
Windy conditions can blow debris, such as trees and branches, into powerlines and damage other power assets.
Some safety devices have operated in response to faults today. When this occurs, our crews must patrol the lines before safely turning power back on. This can mean power outages can last longer than usual as it’s critical our teams are confident it’s safe to restore power to customers.
We are keeping customers updated on estimated restoration times via SMS, our website or our Bendigo-based customer centre. To sign up for SMS notifications, visit powercor.com.au/notify
We know that power outages on such hot days are frustrating for our customers and we thank them for their understanding as we work to safely restore power.
We’d encourage people to continue to be prepared for the extreme conditions.
Charge phones and other devices, have a battery-powered radio available for real time news updates, and sign up to for SMS notifications about power supplies at www.powercor.com.au/notify
If you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for babies, the disabled, elderly or pets make sure you have a back-up plan ready.
2.00pm – Things are heating up
The mercury is up over 40 degrees now in many parts of the network.
Our crews have been busy responding to faults in Warrnambool, Geelong, Hamilton, Winchelsea and Apollo Bay.
As winds pick up and the heat continues to rise, we are continuing to monitor conditions and will respond as safely and as quickly as possible if an outage occurs.
11.00am – Outage explainer
High heat, a Total Fire Ban, wind, storms – it’s all forecast to happen today – and it has the potential to damage the power network and cause outages.
Safety devices on our network operate on much more senstive settings on days like this to reduce the risk of fires starting from our assets. It also means our crews have to take extra precautions when working to get your power back, Liney Ben has a quick explainer on what happens when there is an outage.
8.30am – Total Fire Ban
Today is a day of Total Fire Ban right across the Powercor network, covering western, central, northern and south western Victoria.
On days of extreme fire danger, including Total Fire Ban days, we operate the power network in a more sensitive setting to reduce the risk of fire starts.
This can mean power outages are more frequent and can last longer, as our crews are required to patrol the lines before switching power back on.
8.15 am – Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Ready
To re-cap, today is expected to bring very hot temperatures, gusty winds and even thunderstorms in some areas.
We’re asking our customers to plan ahead, as extreme weather conditions can damage the power network, leading to localised power outages.
We are closely monitoring weather conditions and have extra field crews, controllers and customer centre specialists ready to respond if power does go out.
Victorians can act too by preparing for power outages as part of their emergency plan.
Charge phones and other devices, have a battery-powered radio available for real time news updates, and sign up to for SMS notifications about power supplies at www.powercor.com.au/notify
If you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for babies, the disabled, elderly or pets make sure you have a back-up plan ready.
