Storm power outage update - Wednesday 4.30pm
Powerco crews have made good progress today restoring power to Wairarapa customers affected by high winds that hit the region hard overnight Monday and Tuesday.
As of 4.30pm, around 1,700 customers were without power in Wairarapa, where gale force winds saw trees toppled and debris blown onto power lines and poles. At the height of the storm on Tuesday morning, more than 10,200 customers were without electricity on Powerco’s network.
Powerco Head of Network Operations, Mark Dunn, says crews have worked tirelessly to restore supply to affected customers, and will continue reconnecting people where it is safe to do so.
“We’re very conscious that the same regions that have already been affected by high winds and power outages this week, are forecast to be hit again tomorrow. We have crews ready, but it’s important to remember that we can’t send them up poles to make repairs in high winds – it’s simply too unsafe to do so.”
Severe gale north-westerlies with damaging gusts of up to 140km/h in exposed places are forecast for Wairarapa and Tararua regions tomorrow.
“Crews will continue working to reconnect customers this evening and into tomorrow where it is safe to do so. Unfortunately, because of the sheer amount of damage and challenging conditions, we’re unable to give customers estimated restoration times, which I know will be a frustrating message to hear.
“Please be kind to our crews, they’re working hard in challenging conditions to get the power back on for everyone,” Mark Dunn says.
As of 4.30pm, around 1,700 customers were without power in Wairarapa, where gale force winds saw trees toppled and debris blown onto power lines and poles. At the height of the storm on Tuesday morning, more than 10,200 customers were without electricity on Powerco’s network.
Powerco Head of Network Operations, Mark Dunn, says crews have worked tirelessly to restore supply to affected customers, and will continue reconnecting people where it is safe to do so.
“We’re very conscious that the same regions that have already been affected by high winds and power outages this week, are forecast to be hit again tomorrow. We have crews ready, but it’s important to remember that we can’t send them up poles to make repairs in high winds – it’s simply too unsafe to do so.”
Severe gale north-westerlies with damaging gusts of up to 140km/h in exposed places are forecast for Wairarapa and Tararua regions tomorrow.
“Crews will continue working to reconnect customers this evening and into tomorrow where it is safe to do so. Unfortunately, because of the sheer amount of damage and challenging conditions, we’re unable to give customers estimated restoration times, which I know will be a frustrating message to hear.
“Please be kind to our crews, they’re working hard in challenging conditions to get the power back on for everyone,” Mark Dunn says.
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