Endeavour Energy flood update - 3 March 2022 - 10:00am

Endeavour Energy continues to implement its flood response plan to keep people safe from rising flood waters across Greater Western Sydney.

Our Head of Field Operations, David Campbell highlighted on 2GB Sydney this morning, how to stay safe around electricity, particularly if you’re evacuating due to water inundation or flooding. Listen to his key messages.

As flooding continues along the Nepean, Hawkesbury, Georges, Colo and Macdonald Rivers, we are advising customers in low-lying areas to prepare now for power cuts ahead of rising floodwater levels expected later today.

There are currently 327 properties – mainly along the Hawkesbury River below Windsor – where power has already been isolated due to flooding.

This is an important measure to keep customers and emergency service workers safe. Affected customers are notified in advance by SMS message wherever possible.

With flood levels predicted to be similar or even higher than the March 2021 floods, Endeavour Energy is asking customers to be prepared as the situation evolves:

• customers who need power for home medical equipment should fully charge their batteries now and be ready act on their back up plans
• in areas at risk of flooding, customers should charge their mobile phone, pack their recharger and prepare to be evacuated when asked by the SES
• prior to evacuating, please disconnect electrical appliances in your home and turn off the main switch at your switchboard.

Customers evacuating flooded areas are reminded to be alert to possible submerged power lines and treat them as live. Stay at least 8 metres clear and report to Endeavour Energy immediately on 131 003, or emergency services on 000.

Endeavour Energy will maintain and restore power to customers where it is safe to do so, however road access is needed for necessary safety checks and repairs to be undertaken to re-energise electricity supply.

A further update will be provided later today.

Customer safety

If your property has water coming into the premises or is at risk of flooding ALWAYS remember:

• if it is safe to do so, turn electricity off at the main switch on your switchboard before your property becomes inundated or submerged in rising floodwaters (even if your power is already out)
• remove or relocate all portable electrical appliances away from areas likely to be impacted by water, particularly those on the ground
• treat all powerlines as 'live' and dangerous by keeping at least 8m clear of them. Never drive across fallen powerlines
• keep a reliable torch handy as a precaution for any power outages
• if you have to leave your property, remember to take your phone charger
• avoid all contact with wires that are hanging low or on the ground, dangling in floodwaters or tangled in trees.

Helpful contacts

• For life-threatening emergencies call 000
• For emergency and rescue assistance call NSW SES on 132 500
• Report fallen powerlines immediately by calling Endeavour Energy 24/7 on 131 003
• Register power outages here
• For estimated power restoration times www.endeavourenergy.com.au/outage
• Follow us on Twitter @endeavourenergy for updates.