6 January 2008

Cyclone Helen Power Restoration Update #5

Power and Water advise that as of 2.00 pm Sunday 6 January

The majority of power has now been restored to Darwin and rural areas. From a total of nearly 15,000 affected customers this time yesterday, approximately only 553 customers are still awaiting restoration of power.

Power and Water crews continue to attend to faults and repairs as a result of damage caused by Cyclone Helen in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Affected areas:

Meade Road - Darwin River	Crew currently in attendance
Dundee Beach	A crew is currently inspecting damage along the Dundee line and determining road condition for heavy repair vehicles
Belyuen	Crew currently in attendance
Elizabeth Valley	Crews currently in attendance estimated restore by 6.00pm
Morgan Road	Crews currently in attendance estimated restore by midnight.
Batchelor surrounding area	Crews currently in attendance

An estimated 100 households in Darwin are experiencing individual power supply issues and Power and Water Corporation crews will be working through the night to assist these residents.

In the majority of cases, the overhead power line from the power pole to the house has come away. In this situation the householder is required to engage a licensed electrician to ensure that the house wiring system has not been damaged and to issue a certificate of compliance.

Power and Water crews are then able to attend and reconnect the main cable from the power pole to the house. On average, repairs take an hour to restring the service from the main cable to the house.

Currently crews are still working on removing fallen trees on power lines and lines down across roads.

For more information contact Power and Water on 1800 245 090.