Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi - preparation and response

As category 5 Cyclone Yasi approached a large area of North Queensland, Electrical Safety Office (ESO) concerns for electrical safety were a top priority, with high winds and flooding expected throughout the area.

The eye of the storm hit south of Innisfail early on 3 February 2011, severely affecting areas like Mission Beach, Dunk Island and Cardwell. Destructive winds and torrential rain ripped apart homes, destroyed power lines and inundated properties with water. Townsville and surrounding areas suffered significant damage to the electrical distribution network.

Ergon Energy reported Cyclone Yasi resulted in the loss of power to around 200,000 connections, nearly a third of its customers. Three weeks later all affected customers had their power restored, except for those premises too severely damaged. Yasi also caused extensive damage to Ergon’s network from Cooktown to Sarina and west to the border.

Ergon Energy advised that in the biggest ever roll-out of electrical field staff – with support from Energex and interstate distribution entities and licensed electrical contractors – it undertook the largest repair and rebuild of the network in the organisation’s history.

“It was an enormous logistical exercise which tested nearly every area of the organisation,” said Executive General Manager Operations, Peter Billings.

Within hours of the storm passing ESO commenced preparations for the restoration effort.

Staff were deployed throughout the affected areas. Inspectors operated in pairs – Townsville inspectors covered up to Cardwell and Cairns inspectors covered north of Cardwell.

Visits were undertaken on a daily basis, with inspectors taking a flexible approach in promoting compliance, offering advice and guidance where necessary.

The main areas for electrical safety concern were the use of generators, fallen power lines, damage to electrical equipment and unlicensed electrical work.

Some issues which inspectors identified included:

• unsafe electrical leads
• generators connected  to residences by the use of leads with a three pin plug top on either end
• positioning and refuelling of operating generators (ventilation issues and fire hazard)
• energised service conductors found coiled up on the ground
• possible generator involvement in fires
• possible unlicensed electrical work
• damage to switchboards and wiring
• use of double adaptors and power boards with no protection.

Overall feedback was positive. Residents were grateful for government presence in their communities. The provision of safety information was also well received. Interaction with other government departments and the emergency management team was appreciated, with officers able to offer advice and support regarding electrical issues.

Lessons for future planning of disaster responses include continuing to build relationships with emergency management teams, local councils and communities.

A review of communication requirements will be carried out with possible improvements including wider distribution of information and timely, pre-prepared safety alerts via radio broadcasts. The supply of information to generator retailers during the year regarding safe connection and use of these machines will be a priority.