Be Prepared For Storm

A severe weather watch remains in place for Auckland today. Northwest gales may become severe in exposed places from this afternoon until midnight tonight. Heavy rain is also expected in the region.

Vector says the public should be aware of the potential electricity related hazards strong winds and heavy rains can create. Vegetation and debris can blow into lines and can take out power during these kind of weather events.

In particular, people should:
• stay well clear of fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment and treat them as live at all times
• watch out for falling tree branches as these can cause damage to power lines
• avoid possible damage to electrical appliances (in the unlikely event there is a power surge when the power is restored) by switching off appliances at the wall
keep a torch and spare batteries handy and ensure that you have at least one telephone that does not rely on electricity for operation
• Ensure that an alternate fuel is always available for cooking (e.g. gas for BBQ)
People using medical equipment that relies on electricity should ensure they are prepared for power disruptions and if there is an immediate health threat, contact their health provider or call 111.

Vector will work hard to restore power as quickly as possible however in storms the company has to prioritise multiple demands. The safety of the public and Vector’s contracting field staff is of primary importance at all times.

Vector said call centres can be inundated with fault calls during extreme weather and appealed to the public to limit the use of the emergency reporting options to emergency situations only - such as downed or sparking power lines.

Check Vector’s outages app, twitter feed or the website for updates

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