The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the South West Land Division forecasting damaging, locally destructive winds.
The storm is expected to arrive this evening. Locations that may be affected include the Lower West, South West, South Coastal, Great Southern, Central Wheat Belt and parts of Central West, South East Coastal and Goldfields districts.
Western Power prepares for storms to minimise impact on network infrastructure and the resulting power interruptions on the community.
We work to ensure the network is as resilient as possible and that we are resourced to deal with the impacts of storms and any resulting repair and restoration.
Our priority during storm events is responding to reported hazards to ensure the safety of the community and our crews. This may mean if you are experiencing a power outage, you will see crews attend and make safe and leave without restoring power. Please be assured they will return to repair once hazards are safe.
Some repair work will be undertaken once the storm has passed to ensure safe use of the equipment needed i.e. elevated work platforms, which cannot be used during dangerous winds.
While significant work has been done to prepare the network for storms ahead of the winter/spring seasons, common causes of safety hazards and power outages during inclement weather include tree branches and debris falling onto powerlines due to high winds, vehicles colliding with power poles and residential infrastructure such as trampolines flying into the network.
It’s important that the community are aware of the steps they can take to ensure safety around electricity infrastructure prior to storms.
These include:
- securing loose items around homes
- ensuring tree canopies on properties are not near poles or wires
- making the safe call to Western Power on 13 13 51 if they see any debris on powerlines.
We would like to remind everyone that, if you see any damage to the network, please stay eight metres clear and make the safe call to Western Power on 13 13 51.