The number of homes and businesses still affected by an unplanned power outage as a result of Thursday’s storms is now less than 3,000.
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In Essential Energy’s Northern Region, which incorporates Narrabri, Tamworth, Walcha and surrounding areas, the number of homes and businesses affected has been reduced to 228, which is down from approximately 660 at 10.50am yesterday morning.
In Walcha and surrounding areas including Ingleba, Tia, Walcha Road and Wollun since 10.50am yesterday crews have reduced the number of homes and businesses affected by the unplanned power outage from 105 to 76.
Thursday’s storms caused unplanned power outages for more than 60,000 homes and businesses in Essential Energy’s distribution area which covers 95 per cent of the NSW.
On Friday more than 500 homes and businesses in Walcha and the surrounding areas were affected.
Local crews from Narrabri, Tamworth and Walcha have been assisted by crews and equipment from Albury, Armidale, Boorowa, Canowindra, Cootamundra, Cowra, Dubbo, Hay, Inverell, Leeton, Moree, Narromine, Orange, Parkes, Queanbeyan, Temora, Wagga Wagga, Warialda and Yass.
Yesterday a helicopter inspection found further damage caused by Thursday’s storm and some customers who had already had power restored would have experienced a temporary power outage while further repairs to the electricity network were made.
Crews are working as quickly as safety allows and by 7pm Friday evening the number of homes and businesses affected had been reduced to approximately 16,400.
Essential Energy said it hopes to have power restored to the remaining customers affected in Narrabri, Tamworth, Walcha and surrounding areas by the end of today.
Some of the hardest hit locations were in the wider Narrabri and Tamworth areas.
Damage from vegetation impacting the electricity network due to high winds associated with the storms was been the biggest cause of the unplanned power outages.
Crews have been working over the weekend to make repairs to the electricity network which includes more than 40 power poles in the wider Narrabri area needing to be replaced due to storm damage.
Additional crews and equipment from across NSW have been brought in to assist local Essential Energy crews restore power for customers and a helicopter has also been used to help identify damage to the electricity network caused by the storm.
Customers are asked to report any known damage to the electricity network to the Essential Energy contact centre on 13 20 80.
Essential Energy said they wished to thank customers for their understanding as they continue to work to restore power after the storms.