Extreme weather

Before

• Because bushfires can cause extended power outages, don't rely on power supply as part of your Bushfire Survival Plan.
• Prepare an emergency water supply. Equipment such as electric water pumps can't be used if your power supply is interrupted – prepare a generator, diesel-powered or petrol-powered pump instead.

On Total Fire Ban days

• For everyone’s safety, on Total Fire Ban days we take extra precautions when operating the electricity network.
• These precautions include altering our processes to ensure power doesn’t automatically restore following a fault.
• As this process involves a physical inspection of powerlines, it may take a longer for power outages to be restored.
• We understand no one likes power outages and longer restoration times may be frustrating. However, the safety of our people and our communities are our number one priority and this process is an important part of reducing the risk of fire.

During

• Use a portable generator with caution. Always use it in a well-ventilated dry area and connect appliances directly to the generator. Don't plug back-up generators into your switchboard. It's dangerous and can impact our crews trying to repair the network.
• Hot and windy weather can increase the sag and swing of powerlines. A reminder to Look Up, Look Out for sagging powerlines and anything that could touch them. Report any instances of fallen powerlines to us on 132 004 immediately.
• If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please contact the appropriate emergency services.
• Listen to your local ABC Radio station on a battery-powered radio or the car radio for power restoration updates or stay in the loop by subscribing for updates below:

After

• Make sure your home is safe before returning.
• Keep an eye out for fallen or damaged powerlines. Report fallen or damaged powerlines to us on 132 004.
• If your home or property has been impacted by fire (including by embers and ash) your electrical wiring, circuit breakers and fuses will need to be confirmed safe by an electrical contractor. Have your home inspected by an electricical contractor and repairs carried out before contacting us to have power restored. For safety purposes, an electrician will have to provide us with a Certificate of Electrical Compliance before reconnection if you’ve been disconnected.
• Don't plug in or use appliances or equipment that may have been damaged by fire until they've been checked by an electrician.

Before

• Where possible lift all electrical appliances to a safe, higher position before the flood.
• If you have adequate flood warning, contact us on 132 004 to have your supply disconnected. beforehand. Please call as early as possible to allow time for us to respond.
• If your supply hasn't been disconnected, turn off all switches and main switches before the flood.

During

• Don't stay inside a flooded building when the power is connected.
• Don't use any electrical appliances that have been wet or damaged.
• If you're in a boat, be aware rising floodwaters reduce the clearance of overhead powerlines and assume powerlines are live.
• Stay away from the electricity infrastructure, including poles, substations, fallen powerlines and any objects in contact with them. Electricity can arc to surrounding objects, which means you can be seriously injured by electricity without actually touching the powerline.
• If parts of the electricity network or fallen powerlines are covered in floodwater, stay as far away as possible because water conducts electricity. Call us on 132 004 to report the fallen powerlines.

After

• If you expereince flickering lights or receive a shock or tingling sensation from any electrical appliances, plumbing, metal, sink or bath, avoid all contact with the appliance or metallic fixtures in question. Call us on 132 004 to report the problem as soon as you can.
• Don’t swim in flooded creeks and drains as they could hide fallen powerlines.
• If your home/shed has been affected by flooding, your wiring, circuit breakers, fuses and appliances will need to be safety checked by an electrician and ensure repairs are carried out before contacting us to have power restored. For safety purposes, an electrician will have to provide us with a Certificate of Electrical Compliance before reconnection if you've been disconnected.

Before

• Tie down loose items around your home and garden that could become airborne during severe winds such as outdoor furniture, building materials, trampolines and other play equipment.
• Identify and prune trees that could come down in a storm. Don’t attempt to trim trees near powerlines yourself.
• Keep your house weatherproof. Replace broken roof tiles, keep gutters clean and fix leaks to ensure water cannot access electrical systems or appliances.
• Know the location of your meter box and mains switches and make sure these are protected from water damage.

During

• Stay at least 10 metres away from fallen powerlines or anything touching them.
• Report any fallen powerlines (or trees or branches in contact with powerlines) to us on 132 004.
• Unplug sensitive appliances like computers and televisions.
• Don’t use a landline telephone during a thunderstorm.
• Listen to your battery-powered radio for weather updates (alternatively use your car radio. Many mobile phones also have in-built FM radios).
• If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please contact the appropriate emergency services.

After

• Watch out for fallen powerlines, particularly those hidden in trees or other storm debris
• Always assume fallen powerlines are live and don’t approach them
• Don’t swim in flooded creeks and drains as they could hide fallen powerlines
• If you expereince flickering lights or receive a shock or tingling sensation from any electrical appliances, plumbing, metal, sink or bath, avoid all contact with the appliance or metallic fixtures in question. Call us on 132 004 to report the problem as soon as you can.