Electricity restored to 95% of affected Auckland homes
AUCKLAND: Power has been restored to close to 95% of homes recently thrown into darkness by Tuesday’s storm.
The number of Auckland homes without power is now down to about 11,000, according to supplier Vector.
At the peak of the storm there were 180,000 without power, just two and ahalf days ago.
The company said the storm damage was the worst on the network since at least 2007.
‘‘The extensive damage to the backbone of the network takes time to repair, but is critical to getting the most customers back on in the fastest time,’’ a Vector statement said.
‘‘Our next priority is the pockets of individual homes still without power due to failures on the lowvoltage network.’’
The company warned the work on individual homes would take well into next week.
It acknowledged some residents would be disappointed but said staff were working ‘‘around the clock to restore power as fast as humanly possible.’’
Customers had already expressed frustration over changing repair times.
Ellen Xing, who lives in Three Kings with her child and partner, said Vector had repeatedly put back the time for the reconnection of their electricity supply.
The latest notification indicated the power would not go back on until 10pm today.
‘‘We keep getting a message from Vector and expect to get the power fixed. This is the sixth time. It’s just frustrating.’’
Auckland Emergency Management director John Dragicevich said the lack of power was affecting the welfare of Aucklanders.
‘‘These issues directly affect the welfare of Aucklanders and we ask people to check on their friends and family who may be affected.
‘‘This means calling them if you can, going around to see them or, if you can’t get there, can someone else you know check in on them? When you visit take what they might need, things like hot food, clean water and blankets.’’
Auckland Emergency Management was providing drinking water and portaloos to those who could not access those services.
On Thursday night it had received more than 45 calls from households needing portaloos and drinking water, which were being distributed yesterday.
‘‘This is specifically for those who are on septic tanks, which rely on power to draw potable water and have no power,’’ Mr Dragicevich said.
Each person will receive
2.4 litres of water a day for three days. — NZME