Weather restricts power restoration

Media statement - for immediate release
4.15pm, Monday 25 Sept 2013

Weather restricts power restoration

Following high winds this morning, power remains out to around 1,000 customers in areas west and south of Darfield. We advise those customers that are presently without power to prepare to be without power overnight.

"Around 1,500 customers were without power this morning however our efforts to restore power to these customers have been disrupted due to safety issues. The threat of lightning strikes has meant that we have to withdraw our lineman from repairs," says Orion Operations Manager Stu Kilduff.

"As you can imagine, being up a ladder fixing a power line is not the best place to be if lightning hits. Safety always comes first and so we have had to recall a number of our repair crews from the area. We're watching the weather closely and as soon as the risk to safety diminishes, those crews will return and continue with repair efforts. Weather permitting, and assuming no further outages, power should be restored to the majority of customers tomorrow," continues Mr Kilduff.

If you see a fallen power line, or a tree on a power line, please stay well clear and call us immediately on 0800 363 9898. Also, we ask any residents using generators to get them installed by registered electricians to ensure the safety of the linesmen when they repair the network.

ENDS

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