Weekend storms a reminder of the need to be ready

23 October 2018

Severe storms swept across large parts of the state

Severe storms swept across large parts of the state on the weekend leaving a trail of damage, including to the electricity grid, with more than 33,000 customers losing power across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter.

Ausgrid Chief operating Officer Trevor Armstrong said with the outlook for potentially increased storm activity during this summer it is a good reminder for people to ensure they are ready now.
“We saw on the weekend just how quickly storms can move in and the damage they can cause in just a matter of minutes.

“But it doesn’t take long to ensure your home is ready for bad weather and now is a great time to make the most of good weather and tidy up”, Mr Armstrong said.

There are some simple steps we can all take to get storm ready.

If you are using a ladder remember to make sure it is set up on flat, stable ground, don’t climb past the second-last rung and always look up and check for overhead wires and stay well clear of them at all times.

A quarter of all outages on our network are caused by trees contacting powerlines.

“Have a look outside to identify any trees on your property which may be growing too close to powerlines and could bring down live wires in a storm but only use a qualified contractor to trim branches”, Mr Armstrong said.

Storms can cause significant damage to buildings, trees and powerlines and can also create dangerous hazards.

“Garden tools, outdoor furniture, play equipment and trampolines can all become projectiles in high winds and can damage powerlines and property, so make sure loose items are safely secured when not in use”.

“Once a storm has passed it is important to be careful around fallen or damaged trees and other debris as they can hide fallen powerlines and electrical hazards.

“If you see fallen powerlines always assume they are live, stay safely back and report them to Ausgrid on 13 13 88”, he said.

For more information on how to get your home ready for storm season, go to ausgrid.com.au/stormsafety