Counties Power Preparing for Cyclone Oma
Counties Power fault crews and customer services teams are on standby and ready to respond. The company has moved into storm preparation mode, readying to stand crews down from scheduled work later in the week to ensure they are rested for storm response work if required. Additional supplies have been readied and a storm response centre prepared.
Counties Power Chief Executive Judy Nicholl says the company is preparing for a large-scale event and encourages residents to do the same.
“We’re asking residents to start their preparations now to lessen the impact on the electricity network and on your loved ones. I cannot stress enough how important it is to maintain your trees near power lines as these contribute significant damage to the electricity network in storms and can take out the power to entire neighbourhoods.”
“Be prepared for potential large-scale power outages. Take storm precautions by securing outdoor furniture, trampolines and other objects, store some water if you rely on a pump, check your BBQ gas bottle and torches and charge up your smartphone and tablets to stay up to date with our app, the Counties Power Facebook site, website and Civil Defence. Please check the power outage preparation tips and safety information on our website – www.countiespower.com/outages and download our app now to keep informed. Check in with your neighbours and those you know living alone to check they are prepared.”
To get the Counties Power app type app.countiespower.com in your smartphone internet browser now and register your location for specific information on any power outages affecting your property.
Outage information will also be published on the Counties Power Facebook page – www.facebook.com/countiespower or the website- www.countiespower.com/outages. Faults can be logged on the app or call 0800 100 202.
Don’t forget animals – livestock should be moved out of paddocks with power lines.
Please treat all lines as live and report any downed or damaged lines or electrical equipment immediately on 0800 100 202. Never touch electrical equipment.
In the event of large-scale power outages Counties Power crews ‘make safe’ first, moving around the region isolating power to any damaged or downed lines and electrical equipment before moving to restore the network. Once essential services are restored crews then work to repair wide spread outages affecting significant numbers, then multiple property and businesses then single properties. Single properties and those with damage to privately owned service lines could be without power for some time if there is large-scale damage to the network and should be prepared.
This is a timely reminder to ensure trees and vegetation near power lines are maintained. It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure vegetation is kept away from power lines. The April 2018 storm’s large-scale power outages were largely caused by trees or tree debris damaging power lines. More information can be found at www.countiespower.com/trees.
For further information and to stay up to date check these websites – www.civildefence.govt.nz, www.aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz and www.waikatoregioncdemg.govt.nz.