NSW Storm Aftermath: 60,000 Still Without Power as Fire Ban Adds to Concerns
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More than 60,000 homes and businesses across New South Wales remain without power on Thursday following severe storms that swept thru the state on wednesday, disrupting transport and forcing school closures. Authorities are urging residents to prepare for potential extended power outages, with restoration efforts hindered by a total fire ban.
The widespread damage has prompted a massive response from emergency services, with crews working to assess the extent of the destruction and restore essential services. As of Thursday morning, 63,000 properties across NSW were experiencing power outages.
Western sydney Bears the Brunt of the Storm
The majority of those affected are in Western Sydney, where Endeavour energy reports 35,207 customers are currently without electricity. Further north, AusGrid confirmed that 16,827 homes, primarily on the Central Coast and in Newcastle, are still experiencing outages.
Significant outages are also impacting more regional areas, with a total of 11,000 properties affected in the state’s central west, New England, central Tablelands, South Coast, Mid North and South Coast.
Fire Risk Complicates Power Restoration
Restoring power is proving challenging due to a total fire ban implemented by fire authorities. “Due to a Total Fire Ban set by fire authorities, crews must fully inspect the powerlines before restoring power for bushfire prevention,” a spokesperson for Essential Energy stated.
The company has been utilizing helicopters to patrol powerlines, accelerating the inspection process, but warned that this adds significant time to restoration efforts. Residents are advised to prepare for “potential extended power outages.”
Schools Closed and Transport Disrupted
Several schools have been forced to close their doors on Thursday as a result of the storm damage. Affected schools include Borenore Public School, Nashdale Public School, Spring Hill Public School near Orange, Holy Spirit Primary School in Kurri Kurri, and Rooty Hill High School in Sydney.
While the storms caused disruptions to train lines across Sydney on Wednesday, Transport for NSW confirmed that rail services had returned to a normal timetable for Thursday’s peak hour.
SES responds to Thousands of Calls for help
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has been at the forefront of the emergency response, receiving 2,260 calls for assistance in the last 24 hours. Approximately 800 volunteers have been deployed to assist affected communities.
The majority of calls originated from metropolitan Sydney, with the Blacktown unit receiving a especially high volume of 350 storm-related requests.Crews in Orange responded to 170 reports. In the town of Neverite,west of Dubbo,residents reported entire roofs being torn off homes and sheds,with the clean-up expected to take several days.
Extreme Fire Danger Prompts Total Fire Ban
Adding to the challenges, large swathes of the state are facing an extreme fire risk, triggering a total fire ban. The ban covers Moree, Narrabri, the Warrumbungles, the Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney, Lithgow, Bathurst, and Orange. With temperatures forecast to remain in the 30s, authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are continuing to monitor the weather conditions and assess the damage.Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow the advice of emergency services.
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