AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
MEDIA ADVISORY
12 June 2006
3pm

Auckland power outage - update #4

Updated information:

- The electricity lines company Vector advises that power has been restored to most parts of Auckland, except Penrose, the Eastern suburbs, Glen Innes and Otahuhu.

- Power is being restored in stages, but as it comes on stream there may be other faults in the system caused by poor weather conditions. People should be prepared for this eventuality.

- There are no roads closed at this stage, but people should take extra care when travelling this afternoon and evening.

- There could be some localised flooding if weather conditions worsen and high winds could bring down trees and/or power lines which could block roads.

- Auckland City is advising employers to send staff home if possible to avoid peak hour disruption on the roads and the public transport system.

- Some public transport services, including buses and trains, are operating, but people should check with operators, particularly if the weather deteriorates. Fullers ferry services are dependent on favourable weather conditions.

- People are advised to check on neighbours, elderly relatives or friends and others who may be vulnerable to make sure they are managing.

- Auckland City’s Emergency Operations Centre has made contact with the majority of the city’s rest homes to ensure that their residents are managing. No problems have been reported at this stage.

- The power outage has put pressure on the city’s wastewater system and some sewage overflows have been reported. Until further notice, Auckland City is advising people not to wash clothes or dishes and flush toilets only when absolutely necessary.

- People are advised to ensure that they have workable torches at home because the high winds mean power could be cut at any time during the night.

- Power surges are likely this afternoon and this evening so people should turn all electrical appliances off at the wall to avoid damage.

The situation:
- Power has been returned to some parts of Auckland and the electricity lines company Vector advises that electricity should be restored to the rest of the city between 3pm and 4.30pm.

- The power outage was caused by a fault on the Transpower network where an earth line snapped and fell across a 110 kv feeder line from the Otahuhu substation.

- Auckland City Council’s emergency operations centre has been activated.

- The Fire Service is advising people to check construction and building sites to ensure that material cannot be swept away by the high winds.

- Building owners should check their lifts to make sure no one is trapped. They should contact their lift maintenance staff or if it’s an emergency call the Fire Service. They should check their lifts again when power is back on.

- In the areas where there is no power, petrol stations will not be able to pump fuel, but at this stage, there are no region-wide petrol supply problems.

ENDS

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