10 June update: Power outages across Victoria’s northern and western region

Update – As at 4pm

Powercor crews have restored power to more than 70,000 homes and businesses following last night’s severe windstorms, however customers are being advised that some areas may not have power back on until late tomorrow evening.

Extra crews have been moved to the hardest hit areas around Kyneton, Woodend and Gisborne, while restoration efforts also continue in surrounding regions. There are 20,000 customers currently without power in the Powercor network.

Wind gusts of up to 90kmh and persistent strong winds are continuing to bring down trees and branches, with new faults and outages occurring.

The significant storm damage is also creating access issues in some areas, particularly around Trentham and Kyneton. Powercor is working closely with emergency services to ensure our crews are able to safely access some locations.

While our crews are working as safely and as quickly as possible to get power supplies restored, the ongoing difficult conditions and extensive damage to the network means that restoration times will be longer than usual.

We do understand how difficult it is to be without power for such a lengthy period, particularly during this weather, and we thank customers for their patience and understanding.

As crews locate and assess the damage, we are continuing to update estimated restoration times on our website, through our contact centre and providing updates to customers via SMS when we have their details. However, there is a likelihood of some outages lasting beyond this evening.

We would advise customers to assess their own individual circumstances and determine whether they should seek alternative accommodation arrangements.

The Victorian Government has provided information about what customers can do if a power outage is impacting their health and safety.

This advice is available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/emergencies-and-coronavirus-covid-19#power-outages. If people do see a fallen powerline, they should always stay well away from them and report them to us immediately on 13 24 12.

Update – 10am

Powercor crews are working to restore power to more than 35,000 homes and businesses after last night’s extreme weather caused extensive damage to the electricity network.

Sustained severe winds and gusts of than 100kmh have brought down trees and branches onto powerlines and caused extensive damage to the power network across northern and western Victoria. The hardest hit areas are in Woodend, Gisborne and Kyneton.

Crews worked throughout the night to restore power to more than 60,000 customers.

Crews are continuing to patrol lines and repair the damage today. Currently we are responding to more than 200 faults, including reports of dozens of fallen powerlines.

If people do see a fallen powerline, they should always stay well away from them and report them to us immediately on 13 24 12.

We are working closely with emergency services to ensure our crews are able to gain safe access to some fault locations.

We understand many people are working and studying from home during these latest COVID-19 restrictions so any power outage is inconvenient.

While extra crews have been mobilised to get power back onto homes as safely and as quickly as possible, the extensive damage means estimated restoration times will be longer than usual, and some customers will be without power until Friday.

We will keep customers updated on estimated restoration times by text message and online at www.powercor.com.au

The Victorian Government has also provided information about what customers can do if a power outage is impacting their health and safety. This advice is available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/emergencies-and-coronavirus-covid-19#power-outages