Severe weather pelting the lower North Island has left tens of thousands of households without energy.
Powerco shared that about 23,000 properties across its network have lost energy connectivity. The The Wellington region alone has about 100,000 subscribers without energy.
Reviewing how to remain safe, keep warm, and protect both home and belongings when deprived of energy.
It’s quite common for power cuts to last only a few minutes, so it’s likely best to wait a while before initiating any voice calls.
However, if moving with a fairly lengthy energy outage, it may be appropriate to check the status with the relevant line company.
One may also check the supplier’s website and social media to verify the status of the outage, whether it was planned ahead or if there’s an update on when power will be restored.
Wi-fi and cordless landline phones are likely to be affected during a power cut, so it may be best to opt for the mobile phone instead.
If a power outage is causing a health risk, call 111 or go to a hospital.
During a power outage, a person’s personal torch may be the most effective option.
For many, it may mean one’s phone torch, although it may be best not to use this device in the long term, as it may drain one’s device battery. This may imply the inability to initiate voice calls when one may need to.
It may be a good idea to have an emergency kit to hand that moves with a torch and spare batteries, among other items.
Torches and battery-powered lanterns may be safer for us during power cuts than candles.
Vector states that water pumps in rural areas may not function during a power cut. Therefore, it’s crucial to have emergency water supplies available for drinking and washing.
