Ergon crews are ready for Tropical Cyclone Dylan

Ergon Energy crews have been placed on alert and stand at the ready as the tropical low in the Coral Sea off North Queensland threatens to develop into the first cyclone of the season.

Energy and Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said detailed emergency management plans are in place and Ergon crews are well trained and equipped to deal with severe weather events.

“Almost 400 field staff are available in the broad potential impact zone, ready to respond at a moment’s notice,” Mr McArdle said.

“Ergon can also call up crews from outside the impact zone and has arrangements in place to draft in extra manpower from Energex and the New South Wales networks if necessary.”

Crews across the region are equipped with 22 mobile generators capable of delivering more than a combined 10,000 kVA to ensure essential services are maintained in the event that the power goes out.

Mr McArdle said they also had access to an additional 125 generators from outside suppliers.

“Residents can have full confidence that Ergon crews will work to restore supply as quickly and safely as possible,” he said.

“If the weather outside is really bad I would appeal to any effected residents to be patient because essential services such as hospitals, nursing homes and emergency services must take first priority.

“I also remind everyone to treat all fallen power lines as live, not to go near them and to report fallen lines immediately to Triple Zero (000).”

Residents can get the latest information via Ergon Energy’s Facebook page, Twitter feed and its online Storms and Disaster Centre.

The Ergon Energy Facebook page can be found at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ergon-Energy/174840539202952 

Twitter:http://twitter.com/ErgonEnergy

Online Storms & Disaster Centre at:

http://www.ergon.com.au/outages--and--disruptions/storms--and--disasters

[ENDS] 29 January 2014

Media Contact: Phil Hind 0437 334 183