Orion media release - for immediate release
1.00pm, 8 September 2016

Powerful winds and trees continue to cause cuts

Fierce winds continue to batter Central Canterbury today and are creating challenges for our crews carrying out repairs on the Orion electricity network. The majority of power cuts are due to trees or branches falling onto lines.

By 1.00pm today around 1,600 homes and businesses were still without power. Customers in the Selwyn and Banks Peninsula areas have been particularly hard hit by the driving winds, rain and hail.

"Our crews and contractors are working under difficult conditions to get power back on," says Orion chief executive Rob Jamieson. Access to parts of the network is proving difficult, particularly in some rural areas. "We're working as quickly as we can, while making sure we don't compromise the safety of our teams. We cannot put people into areas where there is a risk of trees falling on them," says Mr Jamieson.

"For customers still without power we appreciate it is difficult and frustrating, and we thank them for their patience. It is possible that some individual customers could be without power overnight.

"We urge customers who see a fallen power line or a tree on a power line to stay well clear and call us immediately on 0800 363 9898. Please do not attempt to clear the debris yourself."

Our next update will be at 4.00pm today.

ENDS

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