Storm response

8 September 2024 update - 6:35pm

A big thank you to all of our customers for their patience and resilience this week as we worked to repair damage and restore power across our network, following the recent weather event.

There was considerable damage to our network, with damaged powerlines, power poles and transformers, as a result of fallen trees and branches.

Since last Sunday the weather has impacted 340,000 customers on our network. Thanks to the mammoth efforts of our 450-strong crews out in the field, who worked around the clock, all customers have now been restored.

We also had helicopters, our Emergency Management Mobile Assistance vehicle “EMMA” and customer engagement teams out in various locations providing updates and support to local communities throughout the week. We’ll continue to support communities needing assistance in the coming days.

We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to customers who were without power for several days and we thank them for bearing with us while our crews worked 24/7 to get them reconnected.

If you happen to still be without power, even after the power has been restored to your area, click here for advice on what to do next.

6 September 2024 update - 6:00pm

Our hard-working crews continue to make good progress in restoring power. We are now down to 363 customers off supply due to damage caused by the storms over the weekend.

We are well resourced into this weekend with crews working as quickly and safely as possible.

We've set up mobile generators in Olinda and Yarragon to support the community and in Traralgon to support a major customer. Several other generators are on standby across communities in case they are required.

We're continuing to update Outage Tracker as the information comes in.

The Australian and Victorian Governments are supporting communities affected by the Victorian storms in Aug/Sept 2024, with disaster assistance now available for individuals and councils impacted across the state.

Download the media release: Disaster assistance announced for storm-impacted communities in Victoria (PDF, 143 kB).

5 September 2024 update - 7:50pm

It’s been another busy day for our crews and this evening we’re down to about 1,850 customers off supply from Sunday’s storms.

Our crews will work through the night to restore power to as many customers as possible.

We've sent an SMS with updates to all customers still without power. If you didn't receive one, please make sure your retailer has your mobile number, they'll pass it on to us so we can send you SMS updates.

We apologise to those who are still without power and greatly appreciate your resilience and patience. Due to the severity of the storm, we often get to an outage site and find the damage is worse than expected, requiring additional crews or equipment.

We'll continue to update Outage Tracker with new information as we get it from our crews.

5 September 2024 update - 2:00pm

Our storm restoration efforts continue today, with our hard-working crews bringing us down to 3,300 customers still off-supply following the severe weather events of Sunday and Monday.

Once again, our teams worked through the night to repair damage and restore power and we have hundreds of resources making good progress out in the field today.

Our Emergency Management Mobile Assistance vehicle “EMMA” is stationed in Trafalgar today and we also have a team in Gembrook providing support and updates to the community.

Power was restored to most parts of Rawson, Erica and Walhalla overnight and we’ve successfully disconnected mobile generation there.

We have made more updates to our Outage Tracker today and will continue to do so as the latest information comes in from our crews.

We remind you to watch out for fallen powerlines and not to go near trees with wires still wrapped around them. Presume all wires are live. Also take care when using your car to charge mobile phones – do not run your car in an enclosed space.

We will make further updates here later today.

5 September 2024 update - 11:20am

Our community engagement team are out again today in Gembrook.

Come and have a chat and get the latest updates at:

Gembrook Community Centre
4 Gembrook Road, Gembrook
10am – 4pm

We're continuing to update Outage Tracker as new information comes in from our crews.

5 September 2024 update - 10:00am

🚙 EMMA is on the road again today!

Our Emergency Management Mobile Assistance vehicle (EMMA) is on the way to Trafalgar this morning.

She’ll be stationed at:
Turra Pavilion at Trafalgar Recreation Reserve
15 Reserve Road, Trafalgar
11am – 4pm

Our team onboard EMMA can give you the latest updates, charge devices and assist people with checking our Outage Tracker to get latest updates.

Check out the photo of EMMA taken by our aerial team yesterday! 🚁

4 September 2024 update - 8:50pm

Another mammoth effort by our crews today, bringing us down to around 7,800 customers off supply.

We anticipate more customers will have their power restored through the night.

We have mobile generation connected and providing power to Rawson, Erica and Walhalla.

We've sent out an SMS with updates to all customers still without power today. If you didn't receive one, please make sure your retailer has your mobile number, they'll pass it on to us so we can send you SMS updates.

For those still without power we understand the inconvenience this has caused and we thank you for your resilience. Due to the complex nature of the storm front that moved though our network on Sunday and Monday, we often get to site and find the damage is worse than expected and we need additional crews or equipment, which can take some time. We're continuing to update Outage Tracker as the information comes in from our crews. They're working 24/7 to get the power back on as quickly and safely as possible.

We urge you to keep safe and remain vigilant, staying away from fallen powerlines and not to go near trees with wires still wrapped around them. Presume all wires are live. Also take care when using your car to charge mobile phones – do not run your car in an enclosed space.

We will make further updates here tomorrow.

4 September 2024 update - 5:30pm

Hi Rawson, Erica and Walhalla

We've set up mobile generators on the main street to help power essential services, such as shops, pharmacies and petrol stations. The generators in Rawson and Erica are connected and currently supplying power. There will be two generators installed in Walhalla at 6pm and 8pm tonight.

We're continuing to update Outage Tracker as new information comes in from our crews.

4 September 2024 update - 2pm

We’re continuing to work around the clock to get customers reconnected to power following the storm activity on Sunday and Monday.

Since the storm front moved across the state on Sunday the weather has impacted more than 340,000 customers on our network, and we’ve restored over 260,000 customers.

Our crews worked through the night last night and we got the power back on for 20,000 customers in the last 24 hours. There are currently around 13,000 customers without power.

We have over 400 resources out in the field today assessing, repairing and restoring power and we have updated Outage Tracker with the latest power on times.

Our emergency assistance vehicle “EMMA” is on the road with our customer engagement teams supporting local communities in Yinnar South, Rawson, Cockatoo, Gembrook and Leongatha today.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as our crews work as quickly and safely as possible to get the power back on.

We will make further updates here later today.

4 September 2024 update - 12:50pm

Our community engagement teams are out again today in eastern Victoria.

Come and have a chat and get the latest updates at the following locations:

• Gembrook Community Centre: 4 Gembrook Road, Gembrook from 11am
• Cockatoo Community Complex: 77 Pakenham Road, Cockatoo from 10am
• Leongatha Library: 2 Smith Street, Leongatha from 12.30pm

4 September 2024 update - 12:45pm

Our emergency support vehicle “EMMA” is on the road again today!

The team are in Yinnar South for the next hour or so at: Martin Walker Reserve, 20 Upper Middle Creek Road, Yinnar South.

They will then be heading to Rawson General Store, 1 Murie Street, Rawson from around 2pm.

Our team onboard EMMA can give you the latest updates, provide access to WiFi, charge up to 20 devices at a time and assist people with checking our Outage Tracker to get latest updates.

3 September 2024 update - 8:30pm

It’s been another big day for our 450-strong crew out on the field repairing damage and restoring power for our customers.

We hope to get another 15,000 customers back on supply today.

We have texted customers who are unlikely to get their power back on tonight. We are working around the clock to get you connected. Make sure your retailer has your mobile number, they'll pass it onto us so we can send you updates. Some tips if you are without power this evening: Tips to survive an evening without power.

Thank you to members of the community who have reported faults to us online. We have received over 4000 individual fault reports from our online form and are currently working through these.

If you can't see your fault on Outage Tracker, you can report it online or by calling 13 17 99.

Please be aware, if you have already reported your fault online, it will not automatically appear on Outage Tracker as our team need to assess the reports first. Please don't report your fault multiple times as this will slow down the process.

3 September 2024 update - 4pm

We're aware that the following towns are experiencing telecommunication issues: Toora, Yanakie, Wilsons Prom, Foster, Sandy Point and Poowong.

People in these towns may not be getting our SMS updates or contactable by mobile phone.

Please check on family and friends in these areas and continue checking our Facebook page and our Outage Tracker for updates.

For more updates and tips, see Outages.

3 September 2024 update - 1:40pm

We have one of our community engagement teams at Baw Baw Shire Council office in Drouin until 4pm today. 

Please feel free to come and speak with them and continue to look at Outage Tracker for the latest updates.

33 Young Street, Drouin. They are located in reception.

3 September 2024 update - 1:40pm

Cardinia Shire Council has the following Charging Hubs open today between 10am - 6pm:

• Gembrook Community Centre: 4 Gembrook Road, Gembrook
• Cockatoo Community Complex: 77 Pakenham Rd, Cockatoo

Please bring your own phone chargers to these facilities.

Our community engagement teams are at both locations until 4pm. 

Please feel free to come and speak with them and continue to look at Outage Tracker for the latest updates.

3 September 2024 update - 12:00pm

Since the destructive winds passed through our network at 10pm on Sunday night, we’ve restored power to more than 148,000 customers, with approximately 35,000 still without power.

The damage to our network has been severe, including damaged powerlines, power poles and transformers as a result of fallen trees and branches.

We have over 450 crew out in the field today repairing and restoring power as quickly and safely as possible, with helicopters assisting ground crews with inspections.

Our mobile support van “EMMA” is in Traralgon today providing support to the local community.

We will SMS customers who are unlikely to get their power back on tonight. Make sure your retailer has your mobile number, they'll pass it onto us so we can send you updates.

We are processing a large number of fault reports and we'll update our Outage Tracker once the information is confirmed.

We will post another update here this afternoon.

Please stay safe and keep away from any fallen or damaged powerlines, assume any wires are live.

2 September 2024 update - 7:00pm

We'll continue to work throughout the night to restore power to the 55,000 customers still without electricity.

We thank customers again for their patience and understanding as our crews work as quickly and safely as possible in challenging conditions.

We'll be back tomorrow morning with more updates. Please stay safe and check on family and friends in impacted areas.

Keep checking our Outage Tracker for latest restoration times.

2 September 2024 update - 6:00pm

We’ve had more than 300 crews working throughout the day to restore power to our customers following the extremely damaging winds overnight. Since the weather front hit our network last night, we’ve restored power for over 112,000 customers, with approximately 73,000 still remaining. 

The destructive winds have caused significant damage to our network, with towns without power including Drouin, Warragul, Wangaratta, Narre Warren and Loch Sport.

Conditions remain hazardous for our crews and helicopters and we thank customers for their patience and understanding as we work quickly and safely to assess the damage, repair and restore power.

We are texting customers who won't get their power back on tonight, so they can prepare for an evening without power or make alternative arrangements. Make sure your electricity retailer has your mobile number. They'll pass it onto us so we can send you updates.

With damaging winds continuing to bring trees down onto powerlines, we encourage customers to stay safe and remain vigilant.

Keep away from fallen or damaged powerlines, assume all wires are live.

Keep checking our Outage Tracker for latest restoration times.

2 September 2024 - 11:30am

Destructive winds damaged large parts of our network overnight and continue to be severe.

Our crews are out in the field currently assessing the damage. For those without power, we are updating our Outage Tracker as soon as we have an Estimated Time of Restoration available for your outage. But with severe weather continuing across the network conditions are hazardous and it may take longer for our crews to assess and restore power in some areas.

See our tips on managing during an outage: Outages - AusNet.

We are currently setting up mobile generation in Cockatoo and Mirboo North.

We will continue to update this page throughout the day.

Stay safe and keep away from fallen or damaged powerlines, assume all wires are live. Now is the time to be power prepared.

All planned works, except for critical maintenance, have been cancelled.

Keep checking our Outage Tracker for latest restoration times.

1 September 2024 update - 12:50pm

More wild weather is on the way across our network today and Monday (1-2 September). Our crews are working around the clock to repair damage and we're well resourced to respond to any further outages that emerge over the next few days.

Strong winds between 100-130 km/h are predicted in Leongatha, Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Seymour, Beaconsfield, Lilydale, South Morang, Benalla and Wodonga today and Monday, as well as the chance of rain and thunderstorms in some areas.

Customer and community safety continues to be our priority. With damaging winds continuing to bring trees down onto powerlines, please stay safe and remain vigilant. Our crews are seeing lots of wires down across the network. Always assume fallen wires are live, even though they may be de-energised, and report to our faults and emergencies line on 13 17 99.

31 August 2024 update - 4:30pm

Severe weather continues to impact our network, with damaging winds causing outages due to trees, branches and debris falling on powerlines.

More damaging weather is expected across central and eastern Victoria from Sunday evening into Monday morning (1-2 September).

Our crews continue to make good progress restoring faults and we have additional crews on standby.

Stay safe and keep away from fallen or damaged powerlines, assume all wires are live. Now is the time to be power prepared.

Keep checking our Outage Tracker for latest restoration times.

All planned works, except for critical maintenance, have been cancelled for this weekend.

30 August 2024 update - 6:00pm

Severe weather continues to impact our network, with damaging winds causing outages due to trees, branches and debris falling on powerlines. These conditions will continue for the next few days peaking early Monday morning.

Our crews continue to make good progress restoring faults. We are working as quickly and safely as possible.

We have over 400 resources out in the field and are well resourced for further faults that emerge

Keep checking our Outage Tracker for latest restoration times.

All planned works, except for critical maintenance, have been cancelled for this weekend.

29 August 2024 update - 12:30pm

With wild weather continuing across our network, our Emergency Management Mobile Assistance vehicle “EMMA” hit the road again at 8.30am this morning.

Our team made their way through Cockatoo and Pakenham and have now arrived in Warragul. It’s been good to speak with locals and give them the latest updates.

Our next stop will be in the Moe region, then we’ll head down to Mirboo North, then back to base via the Warragul area.

If you see us out and about in these areas do feel free to come and ask questions and have a chat with the team.

28 August 2024 update - 4:50pm

Severe weather continued to impact our network today with damaging winds causing outages due to trees, branches and debris falling on powerlines. These windy conditions are likely to continue for the next few days.

We made good progress overnight restoring faults, with over 400 resources out in the field and two helicopters patrolling the weather affected areas. Our crews are working 24/7 and are well resourced as we head into the next few days.

For customers that were without power overnight and still don’t have power, we’re aiming to get the majority restored by sunset. In some instances however, as our crews are getting on site, they are seeing greater damage than anticipated, so this may take a little longer.

Keep checking our Outage tracker for latest restoration times.

All planned maintenance works were cancelled today.

Be power prepared

Customer and community safety continues to be our priority - here are some tips to help you be power prepared:

• If you're in immediate danger, call 000. For emergency services, call the SES on 13 25 00.
• Keep away from fallen powerlines and assume any fallen or damaged wires are live.
• Life support customers, please be ready to activate your emergency plan. Call our priority line anytime on 1800 818 832.
• Charge your battery packs so they're ready to power your mobile phones.
• Have battery operated torches and radios in a place easy to access - keep spare batteries handy too.
• Keep some cash on hand in case electronic payment systems go down during an outage.
• Make sure you can open your garage or fence manually so you can leave your home if the power goes out.
• If you have an electric water pump, stock up on bottled water.
• Report new faults and emergencies online or on 13 17 99.
• Keep checking our Outage Tracker for latest restoration times and see Outages for tips on before, during and after an outage.
• Look out for fallen trees and debris and never enter floodwaters.
• If there is damage to your property or your private electrical line, contact a registered electrician for repairs.
• For the latest weather updates, visit Bureau of Meteorology.