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If you live in Townsville, you know the frequent tropical cyclones that can cause the grid to go down. These are most likely to impact from December to April, about the same time as bushfire season, which also threatens the electrical grid. However, your electrical may go out anytime from accidents, collisions, or routine maintenance or upgrades.
We’ll review how to check for power cuts in your area, what causes them, and how to report them to your electrical company. We’ll also review essential emergency preparedness steps to help your family stay safe.
Let’s get started.
How Can I Check if There’s a Power Cut in My Area?
Ergon Energy is a government-owned electricity distributor in Greater Queensland, including Townsville. To check for a power cut in your area, visit the Ergon Energy Website and select the Outages tab at the top, then scroll down to the Townsville Outage Map and select View All Townsville Power Outages. You can even sign up for electricity outage alerts that affect your area.
Common Causes of Power Outages in Townsville
Common Causes of Power Outages
Townsville is subject to frequent tropical cyclone storms and other severe weather events that are typically at their worst during the summer months from December to early April. And, like many places in Australia, Townsville is prone to bushfires in the spring and summer months.
The grid can also go down due to vehicle accidents that damage the lines or poles, scheduled maintenance or upgrades to the system, and occasional short circuits when birds, possums, or other animals come into direct contact with the lines.
Where Are the Areas Most Affected by Power Outages?
While an electrical outage can affect any area in Townsville, some places have recently been harder hit than most. The recent cyclone season saw the suburbs of Belgian Gardens, Castle Hill, and North Ward being hit especially hard.
How Do I Report a Power Outage in Townsville?
The best way to report an outage in Townsville is to call Ergon Energy directly at 13 16 70. They’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take your call.
How to Prepare for a Power Outage in Townsville
1. Create an Emergency Plan
All households should have an emergency plan to ensure their families are prepared. That plan should include a list of emergency contact numbers and supplies and an evacuation route in case of a bushfire or other natural disaster.
An essential part of the plan is practising it with your family so everyone knows the plan, where the supplies are, and what to do. It’s also a good idea to practice different scenarios, such as emergencies at night, extreme weather, or what to do when family members are not home, including having a meeting place in case you have to evacuate.
2. Assemble an Emergency Kit
The most important part of your emergency plan is having your emergency kit ready to go. Keep all of your supplies in a bin or bag that is always accessible in case of evacuation so that you can quickly take them with you. Keeping it all together also means that even if you don’t have to evacuate, you know where everything is. Here are some essentials everyone should include in their kit.
- Three days’ worth of drinking water
- Chlorination tablets or other ways to sterilise additional water
- Non-perishable foods to last the entire family for 3 days. Granola bars and canned goods are good options, but don’t forget to include a can opener.
- Pet food for your furry or feathered friends.
- Flashlights and charged batteries
- Quality first-aid kit
- Spare clothing
- Medications necessary for family members
- Essentials for infants or elderly family members
3. Invest in a Backup Power Supply
Another essential piece of emergency equipment is a backup power supply to keep your essential appliances running even when the electricity is out. It’s a great option for when the grid goes down for an extended period. Then, you don’t have to toss out your frozen and refrigerated goods.
What battery backup you choose will depend entirely on your household and your essential energy needs. So research, calculate your energy requirements, and get a home backup solution that works for you.
4. Install Surge Protectors and Check Your Smoke Alarms
Surge protectors are a must for all sensitive electronics. When the electricity does come back on, there are often power surges that sometimes damage computers, TVs, and other electronics.
Also, make sure your smoke alarms are working. We often use candles when there’s no electricity, and this could cause a fire.
5. Keep Devices and Backup Power Supply Fully Charged
Don’t just buy your backup energy supply and forget about it; ensure it’s kept charged so you have energy when needed. Also, keep devices and other batteries charged so you can rely less on your backup supply, helping it last longer.
Investing in EcoFlow Portable Solar Panels is an excellent option to keep your battery backup charged during extended blackouts.
Steps to Take During a Power Outage in Townsville
1. Turn On Your Backup Generator
Turn on your backup system and plug-in essential appliances like refrigerators or freezers. A battery backup system is best because it can safely be brought indoors. If you have a fossil fuel generator, never bring it indoors, as the fumes will put your family at risk. In that case, you will need a high-quality extension cord.
2. Disconnect Electronics
Unplug any electronics not connected to a surge protector to prevent them from getting damaged when the electricity comes back on.
3. Minimise Your Energy Use
Only turn on essential lights and appliances to conserve energy, especially if you cannot charge your backup until the electricity comes back. If your backup is connected to your household electricity, go around and unplug all non-essential appliances; many still draw energy when plugged in, even if not turned on.
4. Stay Informed
Check the local news and visit Ergon Energy’s website to stay informed about what is happening. This is especially critical if there is a bushfire and you may need to evacuate. You will also be updated on how long you can expect to be without electricity so you can ration your energy and supplies accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with power outages is a fact of life for Townsville residents, but you can do plenty of things to prepare for them. Creating a family emergency plan, assembling your emergency supply kit, and investing in home power backup are critical steps that will keep your family safe and keep your essential appliances running.