There are no reported power interruptions as a result of Tropical Cyclone Lua in Marble Bar and Nullagine. The cyclone passed over Marble Bar at 7 pm last night at Category 3 intensity and Nullagine at 9 pm as a Category 2 cyclone.
Horizon Power's solar power stations in Marble Bar and Nullagine were secured in preparation for the gale force winds and heavy rain forecast, and the town power supply is currently coming from the diesel power stations. No damage to either power station has been sustained.
Linecrew have already carried out a full inspection of the electricity network in Marble Bar and have inspected all accessible areas in Nullagine. Part of the town in Nullagine is currently cut-off due to localised flooding but a full inspection will be undertaken as soon as it is safe to do so.
Tropical Cyclone Lua continues to track inland at a lower intensity and Horizon Power remains on standby to respond to any impact in Wiluna and Meekatharra. Additional resources and restoration equipment have already been mobilised and are on site in Leonora to enable a quick response to any power interruptions in the Mid-West.
Horizon Power advises residents to stay safe by observing the following:
- Do not leave your house or shelter until the All Clear With Caution Alert is given.
- Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
- When the All Clear With Caution Alert is given, do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
- Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
- Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931
Port Hedland spared from worst of Tropical Cyclone Lua
Release Date: 17-03-2012 7.30pm
The eye of Tropical Cyclone Lua crossed the Pilbara coast east of Pardoo Station at 3 pm, sparing Port Hedland from its full force and leaving only one customer without power supply. Full power supply was restored to this customer by 5 pm.
Tropical Cyclone Lua continues to track inland at high intensity and Horizon Power linecrews remain on standby to respond to the impact in Marble Bar, Nullagine and the Mid-West. A Red Alert is still current for Marble Bar and Nullagine and a Blue Alert is in place for Meekatharra and Wiluna.
Horizon Power's solar power stations in Marble Bar and Nullagine have been secured in preparation for the gale force winds and heavy rain forecast, and the town power supply is currently coming from the diesel power stations. Linecrew are ready to be mobilised to Marble Bar and Nullagine also if required.
Additional crew has already been mobilised and are on site in Leonora to enable a quick response to any power interruptions in the Mid-West.
Horizon Power advises residents to stay safe by observing the following:
- Do not leave your house or shelter until the All Clear With Caution Alert is given.
- Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
- When the All Clear With Caution Alert is given, do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
- Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
- Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931
Horizon Power prepared for Tropical Cyclone Lua
Release Date: 16-03-2012
Horizon Power's Emergency Management Team and Local Response Teams in Port Hedland, Broome, Karratha and Carnarvon have been activated to ensure Horizon Power is ready to respond to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Lua on power supplies in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid-West.
At 11 am this morning, Tropical Cyclone Lua was at Category 3 intensity, and estimated to be 475 km north of Karratha and 490 km north northwest of Port Hedland.
Residents in coastal communities between Wallal and Whim Creek including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Warralong and Marble Bar are now on Yellow Alert and a Blue Alert is current for residents in coastal communities between Broome and Wallal and between Whim Creek and Mardie, including Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, Bidyadanga and Broome. A Cyclone Watch is current for the central and eastern inland Pilbara, the far western inland Kimberley, the eastern Gascoyne including Meekatharra, and the far western interior.
General Manager Operations Ziggy Wilk said Horizon Power is committed to providing the safest and most reliable power supply to customers and the preparation work being undertaken now would ensure that Horizon Power could respond safely and quickly to any power interruptions experienced as a result of Tropical Cyclone Lua.
"Strong winds and heavy rainfall may be experienced in a number of towns where Horizon Power operates but we are ready to respond to this," Mr Wilk said.
We have full crews available throughout the Cyclone Watch and Warning areas, additional support is on stand-by ready to be mobilised if needed, restoration equipment has already been mobilised and we have confirmed that all power stations have sufficient fuel available in the event that roads are closed."
Mr Wilk said that residents in the areas where Tropical Cyclone Lua may hit could keep safe and help reduce the risk of power interruptions by preparing now.
"Residents should ensure their home and yards are clear of unsecured objects and rubbish, have an emergency and relocation kit prepared and stay tuned to local radio, television or the internet for the latest updates," he said.
Horizon Power will provide regular updates on the impact of Tropical Cyclone Lua on its website at www.horizonpower.com.au and through local media.
Power supply interruptions should be reported to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931