Recent power outage

A significant storm event brought down three power poles and associated conductor on the high voltage network on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred near where the main line crosses the Menindee/Wilcannia road at Moorabin.

The small but violent storm tore branches from trees and dumped a lot of rain in a short time over the area. It was reported by Paul Woodbury, who lives at Moorabin, that the rain was coming in horizontal. The only significant structural damage there was the old shearers toilet which was blown 100 metres across the paddock and a number of trees blown over.

Several groups were on the river when the storm hit. One person said that looking down the river it was just a wall of white coming towards them and the sky was orange with lightening. Being on the water in a metal boat was not the ideal place to be. Fortunately there was not much hail in the storm.

Approximately 600 customers (Wilcannia, White Cliffs and rural customers in the area) were affected from 3.36pm on Saturday, 18th February to 3.46pm on Sunday, 19th February.

Approximately 20 field staff from Broken Hill and Wilcannia carried out repairs, under difficult, very boggy conditions.

Due to the length of time of the outage a number of residents will have lost frozen and refrigerated food. If you have had this happen, and are unable to claim on your household insurance then ring Essential Energy on 132080 and request for a claim form to be sent to you.