A tornado is believed to be responsible for leaving a major regional city in total darkness – after seven electricity towers were destroyed.
Residents in Broken Hill, in the far west region of outback NSW, are now relying on a diesel-powered generator after being smashed by a mega storm on Wednesday.
Power infrastructure owner Transgrid said teams were currently responding to the damage, but repairs would take a couple of weeks.
Outlying towns remain in darkness, as of Friday.
‘The damage to infrastructure that occurred south of Broken Hill is consistent with … the possible presence of a tornado,’ a Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said.
The storm brought down the 220,000-volt towers that supply power to the region.
An Essential Energy spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia, ‘Essential Energy is hopeful of having power restored to 1,400 customers in Menindee, Wilcannia and Sunset Strip this afternoon/evening, after a significant storm caused extensive damage to the transmission network on Wednesday night bringing several transmission towers down south of Broken Hill.’
‘Essential Energy teams are completing aerial inspections along the powerlines from Broken Hill to Menindee, Sunset Strip, and Wilcannia, to check for any additional damage before restoring power.’
The city of Broken Hill (pictured) in the far west region of outback NSW is now relying on a generator after being smashed by a ‘tornado’ on Wednesday
Seven electricity towers were destroyed when the ‘tornado’ struck, cutting power to Broken Hill and surrounding towns
The spokesperson added, ‘If no further damage is found, power will be restored, otherwise, repairs will be arranged.’
‘Customers will receive updates if their power is to remain off overnight.’
The spokesperson said Broken Hill is currently being supplied power through a large diesel generator owned and managed by Transgrid.
‘Essential Energy continues to work closely with Transgrid and state government organisations to ensure a safe power supply for customers across the Broken Hill region.’
Essential Energy also has four 1750kVa generators heading to Broken Hill, that are due to arrive on Monday.
The generators will be connected to the Pinnacles Place Substation which feeds power to the rural communities outside of Broken Hill.
The generators will be utilised as required, providing a contingency plan to add to the reliability of power as repairs to the transmission network take place.
Broken Hill is currently being supplied power through a large diesel generator owned and managed by Transgrid
The spokesperson said, ‘Customers are encouraged to help us maintain power for the community by switching off non-essential appliances such as pool pumps, clothes dryers, dishwashers and similar between 5.30pm and 10.30pm daily.’
Transgrid and Essential Energy remind residents to maintain a safe distance from any fallen powerlines.
NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said she was working with local MP Roy Butler to ensure the community has the required support.
‘I need to be very up-front here, this is a huge event …and it’ll take a while to repair,’ she said.
‘It’s a significant event, it’s going to be challenging for Broken Hill and those smaller towns, but we’re bringing everything on to get them up as soon as we can.’
Australians in the country’s southeast are on high alert amid a supercell storm that has already brought golf ball-sized hail, flash floods and torrential rain to parts of Australia.
The storm system has been wreaking havoc across central and northwestern Victoria, with the state hit by heavy rain and large hail on Wednesday and Thursday.
Meteorologists have warned more destructive weather is in store for Friday, with Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart all expected to be hammered by rain, thunderstorms and damaging winds.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Transgrid for comment.
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