Electricity distributor Powercor is strongly urging customers to plan ahead for tomorrow’s extreme weather, with forecasts of high winds and dry lightning that could damage electricity assets and cause localised power outages.
A Total Fire Ban has been declared for Victoria, with severe winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees forecast across large areas of the state. The fire danger rating for the Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central regions has been declared catastrophic.
Powercor has activated its emergency response plan, with extra crews, control room operators, dispatchers, customer service specialists and technical experts ready to respond.
Powercor Network Emergency Manager Steve Rigoni said the forecast represents some of the most dangerous conditions seen in recent years, making it critical for Victorians to include power outages in their emergency planning.
“Tomorrow’s conditions are among the most severe we’ve faced in a long time. We’re asking everyone to act now – charge devices, prepare backup plans and make sure you’re ready,” Steve said.
“Our priority is community safety. We’ll be operating our network on highly sensitive settings to reduce the risk of starting fires. This means power may be affected if faults occur.
“If an outage happens, crews may need to carry out safety checks and line patrols before restoring power, so restoration can take longer than usual.”
Victorians can prepare by:
- Charging phones and other devices.
- Keeping a battery-powered radio for real-time updates.
- Having a backup plan for life support equipment or caring for babies, elderly, disabled people or pets.
- Signing up for SMS notifications about power supplies: https://www.powercor.com.au/notify
Steve said bushfires could damage electricity infrastructure and affect electricity supply to properties, impacting equipment such as electric water pumps.
“If our assets are damaged by a bushfire, it may take days or longer for our crews to be able to safely access these sites and complete repairs to electrical infrastructure. Please make sure power outages are part of your emergency planning,” Steve said.
Powercor has cancelled all planned work in catastrophic fire danger areas and will modify or cancel most other planned work to ensure power is restored by midday.
For more advice on preparing for outages, visit:
https://www.powercor.com.au/power-outages-and-emergencies/
Advice on how to prepare
Be Safe
- Have a back-up plan if you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items for babies, the disabled, elderly or pets.
- Plan to keep food safe: set your fridge to 5°C or below. An unopened fridge keeps food for about four hours.
- Have plenty of drinking water if your supply relies on power.
- Pre-cool your home or just the rooms you are using to a comfortable temperature.
Be Smart
- Sign up for SMS notifications and choose your preferences: https://www.powercor.com.au/notify
- Download the VicEmergency app and keep emergency numbers handy.
- Know how to connect computers/tablets to your mobile hotspot.
- Back up computer files.
- Know how to open electric garage doors and gates manually.
Be Ready
- Charge mobile phones, laptops and portable batteries.
- If using a generator, ensure it’s fuelled, operational and you know how to use it safely.
- Have a battery-powered radio for real-time news updates.
- Keep battery-powered lamps or torches handy.
- Know where a relief centre may be available within your community.
