Tropical Cyclone Narelle
Our crews are ready to support customers and communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Severe tropical cyclones can cause major damage to the electricity network, so you need to be prepared for lengthy power outages.
Our crews can only access isolated communities by air, so they could be delayed by unsafe flying and landing conditions.
Safety tips:
- Cyclones can bring down trees into powerlines. Fallen powerlines can kill - stay well away and report them to us on 13 16 70 or call 000 (Triple Zero).
- Consider what your household might need for an extended period without power - keep your emergency kit handy.
- People who rely on electrically powered medical equipment need to consider their Plan B, if their power is out. Read more on our Life Support Customers web page.
- Keep generators high and dry and only use in a well-ventilated location, never indoors.
- If you are moving around in boats, watch for powerlines and stay clear. Floodwaters can hide electrical equipment, push poles over, and greatly reduce the clearance to overhead powerlines.
- Check on your local Council’s disaster preparation advice and follow the directions from emergency authorities to stay safe.
Laura Boekel of the Bureau of Meteorology - Cyclones
Skip to descriptionQueensland, we’re famous for our summers, but also our cyclones. So let’s get prepared. The cyclone watch has just been issued. This means that we can expect gale force winds within 48 hours, so let’s start getting ready.
Check your emergency plan and kit, clean up your yard, secure any loose items, fuel up your car, and check on your neighbours.
We are now expecting gale force winds within 24 hours. This means that the watch is now a warning. So make sure you’ve tuned into alerts and evacuation advice, charge your electronic devices, turn off your utilities, protect your windows, and find a secure place within your home to shelter.
Every cyclone is different but all are dangerous. When it comes to cyclones, we use a category system to rate their intensity.
Category one. Winds of this speed can damage crops and blow over any unsecured items.
Category two. Trees are now falling down and homes are suffering structural damage. It’s now very dangerous to be outside. The rain is falling sideways and you can’t see fifty metres in front of you.
Category three. Sometimes people say, it's just a Cat three. But roofs are now being ripped from homes, and large debris is flying through the air. The risk of injury is real.
Category four. Most trees have fallen down, homes have suffered significant structural damage. Caravans are being destroyed and blown away.
Category five. Bringing widespread destruction. Almost all the trees have already fallen down, roofs are failing and walls are collapsing. Remember Cyclone Yasi in 2011? This is just like that.
But wind isn’t the only impact that cyclones bring. They can also cause storm surge or flash flooding, which could be even more devastating. This is what one metre of water looks like. It’s enough to knock me off my feet, it can float cars and there can be hidden dangers underneath the surface such as fallen power lines and chemicals that are being carried away by the water.
The water is now two metres which is now above my head and is also above the ground floor of most homes. The water is now three metres high. This is a life threatening situation and there can be dangers hidden beneath the surface of the water. Even as the water begins to recede, it can still take days for the power to turn back on and for shops to reopen.
So make sure you’re ready, with more than three days of food and supplies, always know your weather, know your risk, make a plan and pack a kit.
Stay informed.
Are you prepared?
Cyclone Narelle is shaping up as a vast, severe storm set to hit Cape York area. The latest indications are that Narelle will make landfall as a Category 5 storm, packing winds well over 200km/hr. This video from Get Ready Queensland and Bureau of Meteorology steps through exactly what can be expected from a storm this powerful.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Now's the time to finalise your emergency plans, be prepared for power outages, and stay up to date with weather warnings for your area.
Cyclone Narelle - be prepared for power outages
Skip to descriptionHi, I'm Karina from Ergon Energy Network.
We have crews across the far north ready to respond to whatever cyclone Narelle brings. But you need to be prepared for lengthy power outages because severe weather can do a lot of damage to the power network.
If you haven't already, tie down or put away anything in your yard that could be picked up and blown into power lines or homes.
Make sure you have everything you need in your emergency kit to get through at least a few days without power, if not more. Our crews can be delayed by severe weather,especially in areas we can only access by air. That's why it's important for you to be prepared.
Cyclonic winds can bring down trees into powerlines. Remember to stay away from any fallen powerlines and report them to triple 000.
Please be patient, please be prepared, and most importantly, please stay safe.
Thank you.
Important safety message
An important message from our community safety team as Far North Queensland communities prepare for severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Getting reconnected after cyclone or flood damage
If your home or business is damaged in a cyclone or flood, we cannot safely restore power until a licenced electrician has completed a safety check.
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1 You are disconnected for safety
You have received an Electricity Defect Report in your meter box or you know that your electrical fittings or wiring has water or flood damage.
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2 Arrange a safety check
You, your building manager, or landlord, need to arrange a safety check by a licensed electrical contractor.
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3 Make safe
Your licensed electrical contractor will complete a safety check and fix any defects to ensure it is safe for reconnection.
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4 Arrange reconnection
Your licensed electrical contractor will advise us on your behalf that your premises is safe for reconnection.
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5 Premises is reconnected
Our crew will attend and confirm the defects have been rectified and reconnect your premises to the electricity network. You’ll have power as soon as the network has been safely reenergised.