Country Energy’s regional general manager Southern, David Nardi said storms in the eastern Riverina area over the weekend, have kept Country Energy crews busy repairing damage to the electricity network and restoring local power supplies.

“Residents in Culcairn, Holbrook and rural surrounds experienced first hand the impact that storms can have on local communities and on essential services.”

At approximately 10am on Saturday supply was interrupted to 2,950 customers in Culcairn, Holbrook and surrounds when a 66,000 volt power pole snapped off at ground level. Local crews worked in difficult conditions to patrol the line, subsequently identifying the fault, isolating supply and bringing in additional crews and a new replacement power pole from Wagga Wagga.

Supply was restored to Culcairn and the majority of customers by 1:50pm and then progressively restored to Holbrook and surrounding areas by 5:40pm.

At 8:15pm on Saturday, approximately 160 residents in Holbrook and surrounds experienced a second interruption when a large tree fell over high voltage powerlines. All except for 25 customers supply was restored by 9:48pm.

“Extra crews were brought in from Albury to assist local crews clear the line, however, as a result of the tree coming down across the lines and then falling in Ten Mile Creek, about 25 customers were without supply overnight so that crews could safely remove the tree and make necessary repairs in the light of day.

“In addition to the two main interruptions there were at least two other significant interruptions which affected multiple customers in Talmalmo and North Holbrook, due to faults on the powerlines caused by the wild weather.

“Local residents can be assured that we were doing everything in our power to make necessary repairs and restore supply as quickly as possible, however, we were hampered by multiple faults in the same area and extreme weather conditions.

“Local crews responded immediately on each occasion - working in the wind and rain to repair the damage and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. They have done a tremendous job and I thank them for their efforts.