Tropical Cyclone Christine
UPDATE - 4:30 pm
Karratha, Roebourne, Point Samson
Power supplies in Karratha have been intermittent this afternoon as Horizon Power, Rio Tinto and Karratha Power Station owner ATCO worked to restore generation capability. As at 4.30 pm, power had been restored to approximately 3,000 customers in areas where supply is underground; however, 3,200 customers connected to the overhead network remain without power. A further 800 customers are expected to have power supplies restored today.
The damaged transmission line between Port Hedland, Karratha and Roebourne will take longer to repair. Horizon Power is still determining the extent of the damage; however it is confirmed that a section of the transmission line has been significantly damaged and is on the ground. Additional crews are flying in to provide support and Rio Tinto is providing assistance. Western Power is on stand-by to assist with repair of the transmission line. Horizon Power is providing assistance to Rio Tinto to restore power supplies in Wickham.
As a result of the damage sustained to the transmission line, power supplies to Horizon Power's 600 customers in Roebourne will not be restored today. Horizon Power is continuing contact with local critical service providers to prioritise restoration times and will work with Rio Tinto to restore supplies to parts of Roebourne tomorrow. Horizon Power may deploy generators if required.
Horizon Power is working to restore power supplies in Point Samson and estimates restoration will take place early tomorrow for the 200 customers in this town.
Approximately 2,500 customers in Port Hedland experienced a 45 minute power interruption at 2 pm this afternoon. Horizon Power had to disconnect power to these customers due to temporary generator outages at the Port Hedland Power Station. Full generation capability has now been restored and there are less than 10 reported customers without supply.
Horizon Power advises:
Do not leave your house after a cyclone until the official All Clear With Caution is given. This ensures that crews can focus on restoring power without endangering themselves or the public.
For State Emergency Service (SES) assistance call 132 500. In a life threatening situation call 000.
Report any power interruption to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. They may appear harmless, but they could be deadly. Always assume that a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
High winds and flying debris can bring down overhead powerlines. Take care when cleaning up as fallen powerlines hidden in branches, debris or water can be extremely dangerous.
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.
Horizon Power apologises for the inconvenience and assures customers we are working to restore full power supplies as quickly as possible.
UPDATE - 11:20 am
Approximately 7,000 customers in the West Pilbara towns of Karratha, Roebourne and Point Samson remain without power supplies as a result of Tropical Cyclone Christine. Approximately twenty-five customers remain without power supplies in Port Hedland.
Power supplies were interrupted yesterday morning to those affected in Port Hedland and from 9 pm last night for those in Karratha, Roebourne and Point Samson.
Karratha, Roebourne, Port Samson
The West Pilbara transmission network has sustained significant damage. There is also a loss of power generation at the Karratha Power Station and a number of distribution faults reported.
Horizon Power is working with the owners of the power station in Karratha to restore generation capability as quickly as possible. Horizon Power estimates the power station may be generating power this afternoon. Horizon Power aims to have power restored to the majority of customers in Karratha by 5 pm today.
Work to repair the damaged transmission line between Port Hedland, Karratha and Roebourne will take longer to repair. Horizon Power is still determining the extent of the damage. Additional crews are being mobilised to provide support and Rio Tinto is providing assistance. Horizon Power is also providing assistance to Rio Tinto to restore power supplies in Wickham.
As a result of the damage sustained to the transmission line, power supplies to customers in Roebourne may not be restored today. Horizon Power is arranging for temporary generators to be despatched to Roebourne to provide electricity to the town until the transmission line is repaired.
Horizon Power line crews are responding to reported faults in Port Hedland and 75 customers have had power supplies restored this morning. The remaining 25 expected to be restored later today, unless electrical faults are found within the properties affected.
UPDATE - 8:00 am
Approximately 7,000 customers in the West Pilbara towns of Karratha, Roebourne and Point Samson are without power supplies as a result of Tropical Cyclone Christine. A further 100 customers in Port Hedland are also affected.
Horizon Power line crew have been given the go-ahead to inspect the networks and are working as quickly as possible to identify the causes of the faults and restore power supplies. Loss of generation as a result of the cyclone has been identified as the primary cause of the outages in the West Pilbara; with damage to the remaining overhead networks in these towns also a factor.
Horizon Power's transmission system between Port Hedland and Karratha has also been impacted. Horizon Power is working to restore the transmission system, in collaboration with Rio Tinto.
Do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. They may appear harmless, but they could be deadly.
Always assume that a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
Contact Reference: Media contacts: Media line 1800 799 745