Final update – Friday, 24 January 2019 – 9.30am
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In what was a very busy few days for Essential Energy, about 5pm yesterday afternoon (Thursday), where it was possible Essential Energy crews had restored power to all but one customer after the two storms that hit Parkes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The one customer did not require power on Thursday and crews are now working today (Friday) to restore power for this customer by about midday by replacing a transformer which became faulty during the storms.
A small number of customers require work to be completed by their private electrical contractor prior to Essential Energy being able to restore power for them.
Essential Energy thanks customers for their patience while the significant damage to the electricity network was repaired so that power could be restored for all customers.
Essential Energy also thanks to the other emergency services providers and Parkes Shire Council for their efforts after the storm as these assisted Essential Energy with power restoration efforts for customers.
Thursday, 24 January 2019 – 3.50pm
The number of homes and businesses affected has now been reduced to 17.
Any customers in Parkes and the surrounding area without power are asked to contact Essential Energy as soon as possible on 13 20 80 to confirm their details.
Essential Energy thanks customers for their ongoing patience while crews have worked as quickly as safety has allowed to restore power to all customers after the two storms.
Thursday, 24 January 2019 – Midday
Essential Energy has reported that the number of homes and businesses affected by yesterday evening’s storms that caused further blackouts in Parkes, has now reduced to 159.
Crews continue to work as quickly as safety allows to restore power for all customers.
Crews still have 44 separate jobs to complete, with one of these affecting 109 homes and businesses.
Essential Energy is aiming to restore power to the 109 customers in the next hour or so after it was switched off to ensure the safety of the public and their property after a broken cross-arm from the storm was found near Parkes Coles Supermarket.
Essential Energy thanks customers for their ongoing patience as crews continue to work to restore power after the two major storms yesterday.
Earlier – Thursday, 24 January 2019 – 8.30am
After Essential Energy crews worked tirelessly to restore power to homes and businesses in Parkes throughout the day and into the evening on Wednesday, a second storm hit the Parkes area on Wednesday evening causing further blackouts.
Tuesday night’s wild wind and thunderstorm left a trail of destruction throughout the town, initially leaving 3058 people with no power for many hours – some up to 24 hours.
By 10am Wednesday that number reduced to 2257 and Essential Energy worked quickly and as safely as they could to restore power to everyone by that evening.
And as they had just about restored power to all homes and businesses, Wednesday evening’s storm caused more power outages for about 2400 homes and businesses in Parkes and the surrounding area.
The largest power outage affected 2130 homes and businesses and crews were able to restore power to 792 of these homes and businesses by 2.17am on Thursday morning.
A further 1246 people had power by 3.07am, 59 at 4.40am and 33 at 8.10am.
There now remains 277 homes and businesses affected by the outage in Parkes and local crews, and crews from five other depots, will be working throughout the day to restore power for these customers.
In order to restore power for customers as quickly as possible, residents in Parkes and the surrounding area may see a helicopter inspecting the electricity network.
Residents are reminded to stay at least eight metres away from fallen powerlines and anything touching them, and to report them to Essential Energy as soon as possible on 13 20 80.
Outage updates are available on the Essential Energy website outages page at https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/power-outages.
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