Counties Energy prepares for Cyclone Fili
Counties Energy is urging all residents to start preparing now for potential large-scale impact from Cyclone Fili tomorrow. Severe weather is likely to impact the region Tuesday night through to Wednesday morning.
Counties Energy GM Operations Dale Carline says the company is preparing for a large-scale event and encourages residents to do the same.
“Please start your storm preparations now to lessen the impact on the electricity network and on your loved ones. Take some simple steps now such as securing outdoor furniture and trampolines, and anything else that can become a projectile in high winds. Store some water if you rely on a pump, check your BBQ gas bottle and torches and charge up your smartphones and tablets. Check in with your neighbours and those you know living alone to check they are prepared.
“Stay up to date on our Outage Hub, website and Facebook. Please check the power outage preparation tips and safety information on our website and download our Outage Hub app now. Customers are encouraged to log any faults on the app as in extreme weather events, large scale faults can result in phone line queues.”
Be prepared by downloading the Outage App now, save https://app.countiesenergy.co.nz/ onto the home screen of your smartphone. Add your ICP number (found on your power bill) under ‘My Locations’ in the menu bar so that you’ll receive updates to any power outages affecting your property.
Please treat all lines as live, stay well clear and report any downed or damaged lines or electrical equipment immediately on 0800 100 202 or via 111. Don’t forget your animals – livestock should be moved out of paddocks with power lines in preparation.
In the event of large-scale power outages Counties Energy 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 widespread 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 for longer resolution times.
Outage preparation tips and what to do in a power outage can be found on the website – www.countiesenergy.co.nz/outage-tips.
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. Cyclone’s Dovi’s large-scale power outages in February were largely caused by trees or tree debris damaging power lines. More information can be found at www.countiesenergy.co.nz/trees.