Raging storm cuts off power

LIGHTNING and bird strikes were responsible for widespread blackouts affecting more than 80,000 customers in Cairns on Saturday night.

Power was cut to 78,600 customers after lightning struck Powerlink’s high- voltage transmission network at the 275kV Chalumbin to Woree transmission line.

At Barlow Park, thousands of rugby league fans were left in darkness as the Cowboys match against Wests Tigers was about to get under way.

The crowd and NRL stars had to wait before the floodlights eventually kicked in.

Social media videos uploaded on Saturday night showed the city in total darkness and chaos on roads.

Electricity was restored by about 8.50pm, but more blackouts followed as the Far North was hit by a thunderstorm and torrential rain.

At Arriga, 15km west of Mareeba, 310 Ergon Energy customers were left without power from about 10pm to 5.30am yesterday.

Meanwhile, 463 customers at Julatten were without power from 11.15pm on Saturday to 10am yesterday.

Ergon spokeswoman Emma Oliveri said 1507 customers in Manoora, Manunda, Mooroobool and Kanimbla were without power from 6.18am to 9.20am yesterday after a bird struck a powerline.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster James Thompson said Cairns received 26mm of rain during the storm, while Copperlode Dam was soaked with 81mm.

Gunnawarra, west of Tully, had the most rain with 103mm, while Mareeba had 56mm.

“We did have a trough moving through the area,” Mr Thompson said.

“And the hot and humid conditions can often lead to thunderstorms.”

Mr Thompson said Cairns could be in for more bad weather from Wednesday.