Gale force winds knock out power to Kurrajong and Glossodia – no set time for reconnection

Kurrajong and Glossodia are among around 20 NSW areas to have lost power since early this morning due to gale force winds on one of the hottest days of the year.

Kurrajong and surrounding areas have been without power since before dawn and there is currently (at 2.30pm) no estimated time for restoring power.

Endeavour Energy have told us emergency crews are responding to power outages affecting 16,500 customers.

Endeavour’s website has also repeatedly crashed due to people trying to log on to find out what’s happening. Endeavour is keeping media including the Post up to speed on what’s happening.

Endeavour Energy are asking customers to be patient and make plans according to their family circumstances as conditions are expected to worsen during the afternoon.

Damage is located mainly on the far South Coast, Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains, in areas including Kurrajong and Glossodia, and further afield in Sanctuary Point, Bundanoon, Box Hill, Bawley Point, Kiola, Basin View, Nowra, Wilton, Worrigee, Glenorie, Callalla Beach, Callalla Lake, Lake Tabourie, Falls Creek, Kangaroo Valley, South Nowra, St Georges Basin, Exeter, Fitzroy Falls, Fishermans Paradise, Termeil and Berry.

Endeavour Energy crews have been patrolling the damaged parts of the network before making it safe and then starting repairs. Under Total Fire Ban conditions crews need extra time to complete this work safely, so it is not possible to give an estimate of the time it will take to restore power supply to affected customers.

Extra crews have been called in to assist with the repair efforts, with around 160 hazardous incidents to investigate.

Customers are reminded to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, which may be hard to see if trees have come down. Please stay well clear and call Endeavour on 131 003 to report as an emergency.

Customers who need power for medical equipment should check their battery supply and consider acting on their back-up plan.

Tips for customers

Please stay at least 8 metres from fallen powerlines. Call Endeavour Energy on 131 003 to report.

Report outages online at www.endeavourenergy.com.au/powerupdates.

Check estimated restoration times by:

o entering your suburb into the power outage application at www.endeavourenergy.com.au/outages

o downloading the free Endeavour Energy outage app from the App Store or Google Play store.

Follow Endeavour Energy on Facebook (facebook.com/endeavourenergy) and Twitter (twitter.com/endeavourenergy) for the storm updates.

People who need power for home medical equipment should check their battery supply and consider acting on their back up plan.

See http://bit.ly/EEoutages for outage information and safety tips