Ausgrid is taking steps to prepare ahead of today’s forecasted weather conditions and is highlighting the importance of its customers doing the same.
Ausgrid’s Group Executive for Operations, Sam Sofi highlighted the simple steps customers can take to prepare ahead of weather events like heatwaves.
“Taking the time to store water bottles in your freezer to ensure you have cool drinking water, and making sure you know how to operate electric garage doors, gates and water pumps manually is key to preparing your home,” he said.
“The best time to get ready is now, while the power is on.”
To prepare for an unexpected power outage:
- Keep phones, laptops and power banks charged, especially if you see extreme weather warnings for your area.
- Portable BBQs and camp stoves are good backups if you rely on electric appliances for cooking.
- Put together a home emergency kit with items like medication, torches and a portable radio.
Ausgrid has postponed some non-essential work across Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter regions with warnings issued from the Bureau of Meteorology and NSW Rural Fire Service of extreme heat and Total Fire Bans declared.
Work has been cancelled in Mayfield West, Halekulani and Como with temperatures in some parts of the network expected to soar to over 40 degrees.
Sam Sofi explained that in making the decision to cancel jobs, Ausgrid considers the safety of both customers and crews, the nature of the work and the number of customers affected.
“During these periods of extreme weather, the safety of our customers and employees remains our priority,” he said.
“Ausgrid has emergency crews on standby ready to respond to any power outages that occur across the network.
“Proactively reviewing and postponing certain work is an essential part of our extreme weather response – allowing our operations team to ensure our emergency crews are ready to respond to any unplanned outages as quickly as possible.”
Ausgrid will continue to review all its planned work which requires power to be interrupted to customers.
In places where temperatures are forecast to reach 37 degrees, planned maintenance work is usually cancelled, except in cases where customers agree to the work going ahead.
Ausgrid customers can opt in for text message notifications to get up-to-date information about all work in their area or they can contact Ausgrid directly on 13 13 65.
For more advice on how to prepare your home go to: Preparing for an unplanned power outage on the Ausgrid website.
