Power outages from severe weather and natural disasters can last anywhere from hours to days. It's important to note the time the power goes off, and always check your home safety switch hasn't been tripped.
If you lose power at home ...
- Turn off electrical devices and appliances — this includes anything involving heating (e.g. oven, stove, heaters); you don't want these coming back on if power is restored when you aren't home
- Take care outside — there may be powerlines down
- Keep across the news and emergency updates — listen to your local ABC radio station on your battery-powered radio or mobile (if you still have coverage)
- Check on your neighbours or anyone else you know who might need help
Stay connected to emergency information
- Prepare a battery-powered radio with spare batteries; write the local ABC Radio frequency on it so you can listen to updates and information.
- Keep a set of charging cables and a USB power bank ready and charged.
- Turn off your phone's data when it's not being used to help conserve the battery.
- Have hard copies. Write down contacts for friends, family and local services.
- Protect your electrical appliances from possible damage from outages.
Food safety
- It's important to keep your food cool when the power is out so that it remains safe to eat.
- Food will keep in the fridge safely for two to four hours without power.
- Firm cheese, salted butter and preserves will last longer.
- Food in full freezers can last two days; one day if your freezer is only partially filled.
What can I do to make food last longer?
- Transfer perishable food like meat into the freezer.
- Keep the fridge and freezer door shut as much as possible.
- Get some ice for your esky and transfer perishable food into that.
Medicine in an emergency
- You should take extra steps to ensure medications remain safe. If you're keeping your medicine in an esky, make sure it's in a container or bag so it's not in contact with the ice.
Who to contact
Queensland
- South-East Queensland residents contact Energex on 13 62 62.
- All other Queensland residents contact Ergon Energy on 13 22 96.
New South Wales
- Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter region residents contact Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
- Sydney's Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast residents contact Endeavour Energy on 13 10 03.
- All other NSW residents contact Essential Energy on 13 20 80.
Victoria
- Melbourne city and inner-suburb residents contact CitiPower on 13 12 80.
- Northern and north-western suburb residents contact Jemena on 13 16 26.
- Southern suburb and Mornington Peninsula residents contact United Energy Distribution on 13 20 99.
- Western suburb and western Victoria residents contact Powercor Australia on 13 24 12.
- Outer-northern and eastern suburb and eastern Victoria residents contact AusNet Services on 13 17 99.
South Australia
- For all residents of South Australia, contact SA Power Networks on 13 13 66.
Tasmania
- For all residents of Tasmania, contact TasNetworks on 13 20 04.
Western Australia
- Residents in Perth city, north to Kalbarri, east to Kalgoorlie and south to Albany contact Western Power on 13 13 51.
- All other WA residents contact Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Northern Territory
- For all residents of the Northern Territory, contact Power and Water Corporation on 1800 245 090.
Powerline danger
- Stay away from powerlines that have been damaged after a storm or severe weather.
- Keep at least 10 metres away from the lines — this is about the length of a bus.
Compensation
- If your power has been out for more than a day, compensation may be available — check with your provider.
- You may also be able to claim for damage to appliances.
- Take photos of the damage and send these along with receipts to your insurance company, or if it's a modem, to your internet service provider.