Powercor customers urged to prepare as wild windy weather continues

Electricity distributor Powercor is encouraging households and businesses to prepare for more wild weather predicted to hit Victoria this weekend.

Yesterday, Powercor restored power to all customers affected by Wednesday’s destructive wind event.

Preparation is already underway with plans to increase field crews, network operators and customer specialists to allow us to respond quickly if power outages occur this weekend.

With the south-west region expected to experience damaging winds again, contingency plans are in place for Apollo Bay after the two main powerlines supplying the area were extensively damaged on Wednesday.

While crews have repaired the damage, two generators are now temporarily located in the town. Two field crew members will be based in the town, ready to deploy the generators if required.

Head of Network Control, Peter Galey said Powercor was monitoring the weather forecast closely, with wind gusts over 100kmh and storms predicted across parts of our network.

“This week we had an early taste of Spring weather– unsettled conditions and destructive winds that can damage the power network and lead to power outages.

“We will be ready to respond quickly if the power goes out and we are asking our customers to also take action to prepare.

“Know what you would do if the power does go out – charge your phones, laptops and other devices, know how to open your garage door manually, and know where to turn for information.

“Make sure you are ready to enact your backup plan if you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for others and have water available if your supply relies on power.”

Mr Galey reminded people that severe winds can bring down powerlines.

“Beware of fallen powerlines and always assume they are live,” he said.

“If you do find a fallen line, stay at least 10 metres away from them and contact us immediately on 13 24 12.”

Customers are encouraged to sign up for outage alerts.

Advice for preparing for power outages

Be Safe.

• Have a back-up plan ready if you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for babies, the disabled, elderly or pets.
• Plan to keep food safe. Set your fridge to 5 degrees (5^oC) or below.  An unopened fridge will keep food for about four hours.
• Have plenty of drinking water available if your supply relies on power.

Be Smart.

• Download the VicEmergency app and keep emergency phone numbers handy.
• Know how to connect computers and tablets to your mobile phone’s hotspot.
• Back-up computer files.
• Know how to open electric garage doors and gates manually.

Be Ready.

• Charge mobile phones, laptops and portable back-up batteries.
• If you have a rooftop solar system or a battery, check that it is able to operate in a power outage.
• If you plan to use a generator, make sure it’s fully fuelled, operational and that you know how to safely operate it.
• Have a battery-powered radio available for real time news updates.
• Keep battery-powered lamps or torches handy.