Storm safety tips
Storms can damage the electricity network and interrupt your power supply. They can also cause considerable damage and create electrical hazards.
Be prepared for a storm
- Tidy up loose items like garden furniture and building materials that could become dangerous in strong winds and cause damage to property or powerlines.
- Identify and prune trees that could come down in a storm. Never attempt to trim trees near powerlines yourself. Always use a qualified contractor to trim branches on your property.
- Keep a battery-operated torch and radio handy with spare batteries nearby.
- Keep your house weatherproof. Replace broken roof tiles, keep gutters clean and fix leaks to ensure water cannot access electrical systems or appliances.
- Know the location of your fuse box or mains switch and make sure it’s covered to prevent water damage.
During a storm
- Stay away from fallen powerlines or anything touching them.
- Report any fallen powerlines, trees in contact with powerlines, fires or property damage online or by calling 13 13 88, available 24 hours.
- Prioritise going indoors. When indoors, stay towards the middle of the building you’re in and stay away from windows.
- Lightning can travel through electrical systems. Unplug sensitive appliances such as computers, video recorders and televisions. Avoid using a landline telephone during an electrical storm.
- Check your mobile phone, Hazards Near Me app or listen to the radio for weather updates.
Report an issue
Make a report online or call 13 13 88, available 24 hours
Report power outages, hot water faults, or request an inspection of a pole, powerline, pillar, streetlight or tree growing near the electrical equipment.
After a storm
- Watch out for fallen powerlines, particularly those hidden in trees or other storm debris.
- If you see fallen powerlines always assume they are live and never approach them - stay at least 8 metres or 2 car lengths away.
- Don’t swim or wade through flooded creeks and or storm drains as they could hide fallen powerlines.
- Call 13 13 88, available 24 hours, to report power outages, emergencies and hazards.
- For updates on power outages in your area check our power outage map.