Crews ready to restore storm outages across Queensland

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle is urging home and business owners to tidy up any loose items and ensure they have an emergency kit ready during the storm season.

Mr McArdle said items left outside in high winds can become dangerous missiles.

“The storm season is well and truly upon us and it is important residents take all the necessary precautions,” he said.

“Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged, have a torch with fresh batteries and keep a battery radio handy to monitor storm information.

“Ergon Energy and Energex crews have been working hard in preparation for the 2013/14 storm season and it is important we all do our bit to prepare too.”

Mr McArdle said emergency response crews are on standby and ready to respond to interruptions caused by expected severe weather and will restore any power issues as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Please remember to be patient if you experience outages over the festive season,” he said.

“It is important all residents are aware of emergency contact numbers, keeping them in a handy place to access when faced with power supply interruptions.

“If in the event of a storm power lines are brought down or damaged, it is important residents to keep themselves and others well away.

“In this event, south-east Queensland residents can phone Energex’s priority emergency number 13 19 62 and in regional Queensland Ergon Energy can be contacted on 13 16 70.

“If you can access the internet power restoration updates are available on www.energex.com.au or www.ergon.com.au.”

[ENDS] 29 December 2013

Media Contact: Natalie Wynne 0437 334 183