Cyclone Gabrielle - customers off overnight 4:30pm update

Powerco is continuing work to reconnect customers without power following widespread outages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, however some customers will be off overnight as high winds and access issues hamper field crew efforts.

As of 4:30pm there are 10,985 customers without power across Powerco’s network.

Thames/Coromandel is the hardest hit, where 10,362 customers are without power.

In the last 24 hours, Cyclone Gabrielle has impacted over 31,000 customers on Powerco’s network. 

Powerco Head of Network Operations Caz Haydon says the hazardous conditions and access issues have hampered efforts to reconnect customers throughout the day, and that many customers will be off overnight.

“All available crews have been out reconnecting customers where they’re able to do so safely. However, the ongoing strong winds have made it too dangerous to access the tops of poles for much of the day, and fallen trees have prevented crews from accessing some sites,” she says.

“That means that unfortunately most of the customers who are currently off will remain off overnight. We know that’s really disappointing to hear, but we have to wait for conditions to settle before we can assess the damage and work to restore them. We thank customers for their patience, and we ask that they please respect and be kind to our field crews who are working as hard as they can." 
Areas off overnight are largely in the Coromandel (including Whitianga, Tairua, Thames, Whangamatā, Paeroa and Waihi), parts of of Bay of Plenty, and Matakana Island where ferry crossings have been cancelled, preventing crews from attending faults.

Customers can visit Powerco’s outage map for the most up-to-date information on outages: powerco.co.nz/outages

Field crews will be working as long as safely possible today while taking into account periods where they need to be rested. Into the evening they’ll be attending emergencies only – such as when lines are down.

Helicopters are on standby from tomorrow morning to assist with reconnection work, subject to conditions settling.

Powerco advises customers to:
• Regularly check Powerco’s outage map for the latest information on current outages.
• Report an outage either by contacting their retailer (the company they pay their power bill to), or using Powerco’s report an outage page.
• Visit Powerco’s power outage tips page for information on other measures to take during an outage.

In the event of an emergency, such as lines down, customers should:
• Treat lines as live at all times, and keep people and animals well clear
• Phone 0800 27 27 27 or 111 to report it