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Tropical Cyclone Heidi - Updates

Release Date: 12-01-2012

7.30 pm - Update

Horizon Power has quickly and safely responded to Cyclone Heidi with full power supplies restored in less than 24 hours to the vast majority of customers and only 35 faults still reported.

Power supplies were initially interrupted on seven out of fifteen feeders in Port Hedland, South Hedland and Wedgefield immediately after Cyclone Heidi hit at 4.30 am this morning, resulting in unplanned power interruptions for approximately 3,600 customers. Customers in the South Hedland and Wedgefield areas, where electricity supplies are distributed through overhead powerlines, were the most severely impacted.

Power supplies on all distribution feeders have now been restored and only 35 faults remain open. Horizon Power anticipates power supplies to the customers affected by these faults to be restored tomorrow.

Progress since Cyclone Heidi hit:

5.00 am: Approximately 3, 600 customers without power supplies on seven distribution feeders.

8.30 am: Horizon Power staff were authorised to conduct patrols prior to declaration of the All Clear with Caution. Our crews carried out inspections of our entire electricity network with priority being given to dangerous hazards and critical customers. There were no transmission or generation capacity issues but crews were faced with challenging distribution network damage due to the amount of debris caused by the high winds.

9:30 am: The distribution feeder providing power to the bore fields was operational, ensuring water supply. An additional line crew from Karratha was also mobilised at this time to assist with restoration of power supplies.

4.30 pm: The number of customers without power had been reduced from approximately 3,600 to approximately 2,000. Six of the seven distribution feeders were now operational.

6.30 pm: Power supplies restored on all distribution feeders. Only 35 faults reported.

Horizon Power advises residents to observe the following:

• Proceed with care, if going outside, as per the All Clear with Caution alert.
• Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
• Do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
• Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
• Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.

Horizon Power Media Line: contact 1800 799 745

4 pm - Update

Tropical Cyclone Heidi crossed the Pilbara coast at approximately 4.30 am this morning resulting in loss of power supplies to approximately 3,600 of Horizon Power's 7,000 customers in the Pilbara.

Port Hedland Customers supplied from the underground power network have not been affected, however customers in the South Hedland and Wedgefield areas, where electricity supplies are distributed through overhead powerlines, were severely impacted.

Power supplies were initially interrupted on seven out of fifteen feeders in Port Hedland, South Hedland and Wedgefield immediately after Cyclone Heidi hit. As of 4.30 pm power supplies have been restored to six of the seven feeders.

Approximately 2,000 customers in South Hedland and Wedgefield remain without power.

Horizon Power crews continue to identify, inspect and rectify areas of the damaged network, in order to safely restore power to customers.

Progress as at 4.30 pm:

• At 8.30 am Horizon Power staff were authorised to conduct patrols prior to declaration of the All Clear with Caution alert. Our crews carried out inspections of our entire electricity network with priority being given to dangerous hazards and critical customers.
• At 9:30 am this morning, power was restored to the bore fields to ensure water supply.
• The number of customers without power supplies has been reduced to approximately 2,000 and we are doing our best to ensure that the majority of customers are back on as soon as possible.
• An additional line crew from Karratha has been sent to assist with restoration.
• All customers who rely on life support equipment have been contacted to make arrangements and ensure they have sufficient power supplies.
• There are no transmission or generation capacity issues, but distribution network damage remains challenging due to the amount of debris caused by the high winds.

Horizon Power advises residents to observe the following:

• Proceed with care, if going outside, as per the All Clear with Caution alert.
• Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
• Do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
• Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
• Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.

11:45 am - Update

Tropical Cyclone Heidi crossed the Pilbara coast at approximately 4.30 am this morning and has resulted in loss of power supplies to approximately 3,600 of Horizon Power's 7,000 customers in the Port Hedland area.

Customers in the South Hedland and Wedgefield areas, where electricity supplies are distributed through overhead powerlines, have been most severely impacted.

As at 11.45 am:

• The Red alert is still current but Horizon Power line crews have been given the go-ahead to carry out an inspection of the electricity network.
• The number of customers without power supplies remains at 3,600.
• Additional line crews are also available in Karratha and Broome to assist with restoring power supplies as quickly as possible.
• All customers who rely on life support equipment have been contacted and have sufficient power supplies.
• South Hedland Hospital power supplies have not been interrupted.
• Power supplies were initially interrupted on seven out of fifteen feeders in Port Hedland immediately after Cyclone Heidi hit; as of 9.30 am power supplies had been restored on one of these feeder lines.
• There are no transmission or generation capacity issues.

Horizon Power advises residents to observe the following:

• Do not leave your house or shelter until the All Clear With Caution alert is given.
• Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
• When the All Clear With Caution alert is given, do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
• Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
• Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.

7.30 am - Update

Tropical Cyclone Heidi crossed the Pilbara coast at approximately 4.30 am this morning and has resulted in loss of power supplies to approximately 3,600 of Horizon Power's 7,000 customers in the Port Hedland area.

Customers in the South Hedland and Wedgefield areas, where electricity supplies are distributed through overhead powerlines, have been most severely impacted. However, South Hedland hospital power supplies have not been interrupted.

Horizon Power line crews are on stand-by and will carry out an inspection of the electricity network and respond to fault calls as soon as it is safe to do so. Additional line crews are also available in Karratha to assist with restoring power supplies as quickly as possible.

At present, a Red alert is still current and crews remain on stand-by to ensure both their and the local community's safety.

Horizon Power advises residents to observe the following:

• Do not leave your house or shelter until the All Clear With Caution alert is given.
• Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
• When the All Clear With Caution alert is given, do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
• Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
• Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.

For media enquires, contact 1800 799 745.