Most customers are now back online as Essential Energy crews work to restore power throughout the Northern Rivers, Riverina and Central West – after more than 21,200 customers were impacted following destructive storms on 6–8 December 2024.
The utility’s crews worked tirelessly to assess the damage with an initial focus on keeping the community safe from damaged electricity infrastructure such as fallen powerlines, while locating faults in the network.
On Sunday 8 December 2024, the powerline that feeds electricity to the Northern Rivers towns of Woodburn, Evans Head, Lismore and surrounding areas was damaged during storms. Access to reach the line to make repairs was challenging, with a major repair required amongst swamp lands.
Essential Energy crews from other depots were brought in to assist with repairs as quickly as safety would allow, while a helicopter was brought in to assist with identifying damage more quickly.
Initially, more than 10,500 customers were without power. As of Monday morning, about 3500 customers remained without power with an estimated time of restoration of 4pm Monday 9 December.
In the Riverina region, more than 6000 customers were left without power following severe weather and destructive winds that swept across much of the state on Saturday 7 December.
Essential Energy said that most customers have had their power restored, though a small number remain without power.
In the towns of West Wyalong, Yenda and surrounding regions, a further 4600 customers were left without power from Friday 6 December afternoon through to Sunday 8 December. Power was full restored to all customer by Monday 9 December.
Essential Energy thanked the community for its patience while its teams work to safely restore power and remind the community to stay at least 8m away from fallen powerlines, damaged electricity equipment, fires or trees contacting powerlines, and immediately report it to Essential Energy on 13 20 80 or call Triple-0 if the situation is life-threatening.
Customers can view outage information, updates as well as outage tips on Essential Energy’s website at essentialenergy.com.au/outages.
Featured image: Essential Energy
