Power out after a storm
Check whether your street is out. If it is, it is the distributor’s job. If it is only you, a storm may have damaged your service line, board or an outdoor circuit.
What to do right now
- Check the street and the outage map.
- Treat any fallen line as live. Stay well back and call 000.
- Check your switchboard for tripped switches.
- Do not touch wet electrical equipment, and keep out of flooded areas where power is on.
It is an emergency if
Fallen lines, a tree on the lines, sparking at the pole or flooding near electrical equipment. Call 000.
For fire, smoke, shock injuries or fallen lines, call 000 first.
Common causes
A network outage
The most common storm cause. Only the distributor can fix it.
Damaged service line
Wind and falling branches can damage the line to your house.
Water in outdoor circuits
Rain driven into outdoor lights, power points or the meter box trips safety switches.
What we do about it
We check your side of the supply, repair storm damage to your wiring and board, and make your home safe to reconnect.
Common questions
Do I need an electrician to reconnect after a storm?
If your service line, meter box or wiring was damaged, yes. If the street was just out, no.
Is it safe to reset after getting wet?
If water got into outdoor power points or the board, do not reset. Get it checked.