Storms, Lightning, Electricity and You

Wild storms, lightning strikes, strong winds and driving rain can all play havoc with the power supply. Darwin and surrounding areas are the most lightning prone in the world, due not only to our location in the tropics, but also because ironstone in the ground attracts lightning. In Central Australia too, wild storms can cause upheaval and damage.

Prepare for the storm season

Take precautions by conducting a basic inspection around your house during September or October before the main storm season:

1. Make sure that loose items which could become missiles during a storm are secured, or have a place they can be stored quickly. This includes outside furniture, toys, gardening equipment, timber and spare parts.
2. Examine the trees and palms near power lines on your property and organise trimming if required. Hot weather makes power lines sag, so they need greater clearance in the warmer months.
3. Make sure your overflow relief gully (ORG) is free to ensure that excess water can drain away. It is a small grate and will be located near your house. Pot plants, extra pipes and concrete have no place near them.
4. Most general household appliances are able to cope with small surges, but can be unplugged before a storm.
5. For your computer, television and stereo equipment, a plug-in surge protector can be installed between the appliance and the power supply. Surge protection devices limit the voltage to the appliance. If the voltage is increased because of a surge, the device instantly diverts the extra voltage to the ground or stores it in its capacitor. These devices are relatively cheap, ranging from $30 to $60 for domestic sizes - depending on their rating.
6. Please note the device you buy is effective only within its specified range. To protect large appliances you will need to purchase bigger devices. As a general rule, the more money you spend, the broader the range of events they will handle.
7. For computers you could consider using an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) which protects against surges and also provides back-up power when there is a supply interruption. These devices range in quality so talk to your electrical retailer or computer supplier about the advantages of a UPS and other surge protection devices.

While surge protectors will protect your equipment from minor power surges (small voltage change), they will not protect equipment from a direct or close lightning strike (high voltage change). These lightning strikes can send tens of thousands of volts through the electrical system or phone line.

• More information on cyclone preparations.

During the storm

1. As the storm approaches, unplug every appliance with sensitive electronics – that means things like computers, televisions and sound systems. This is the safest and best protection during a storm.
2. Store any loose items in case of high winds – if time is running short, some rust-proof items can be submerged in the pool.
3. Use a torch rather than candles, which can be knocked over and cause a fire.
4. Have a transistor radio with batteries and listen to the local station for updates. Power and Water provides local radio stations with updates if all services are cut.
5. If you see any power lines down, or trees have blown onto the lines, stay away from the lines and contact Power and Water’s emergency number immediately: 1800 245 090. Ensure that others stay away too.
6. If the lights dim for a moment, that means that less power than normal is reaching your home.

After the storm

Inspect around your home and property for any damage, especially if power lines have been brought down, or if water mains are burst. If lines are down, stay well clear of them and ensure that others stay well clear.