"Work is continuing today in the areas worst affected by the storm, but this has been complicated by further outages caused by wind and falling trees today," Mr Krogh said.

"We suspect many trees in the Manawatu and Wanganui regions suffered significant damage during last week’s storm, and as the wind picked up in the Manawatu and Wanganui regions today we have had further interruptions to supply," he said.

"The total number of consumers without supply on Powerco’s networks in the Manawatu and Wanganui regions is approximately 370," Mr Krogh said.

Repairs to even the worst areas, including Waitotara, Marton and Kai Iwi, are due to be completed progressively through this week with the bulk likely to be restored today and tomorrow. These are areas where access is limited or non-existent except by air and in many cases we will be completely rebuilding large sections of network which have been destroyed by floods, slips and fallen trees. There are a small number of valleys where we will have to completely rebuilt kilometers of line, which will take some weeks, with generators being provided in these areas to ensure electricity supply.

Powerco has more than 150 field staff working in and around Wanganui and Manawatu at present.

Much of the North Island was devastated earlier this week by a series of storm fronts. The majority of affected consumers still without supply as a result of the initial storm front are in Wanganui and Waitotara and repair crews have been working long hours in these areas to repair damage to the networks and restore supply.

Powerco had been using helicopters to ferry crews and equipment into the worst hit areas.

"The helicopters are enabling our crews to obtain access to isolated areas particularly in Taranaki and Wanganui.

The MetService has been referring to this month’s storm as a one in one hundred year event.

"Once again Powerco thanks the general community in helping us to obtain access in some very difficult and treacherous terrain still affected by flood waters. Consumers have their own problems but have gone out of their way to assist us in providing access to restore supply.

Mr Krogh said forecasts for more bad weather were a concern for Powerco but the mood among staff was positive.

"We must also thank many customers for comments of support during such a difficult period," he said.