Eastland Network is warning Gisborne and East Coast families to prepare themselves to be without power until late tomorrow afternoon.
General manager Brent Stewart says a light aircraft struck a large section of the 110KV line which supplies the area from Tuai to Gisborne.
“The plane hit a 800m span, causing serious damage to both circuits. Eastland Network crews inspected the damage as soon as they could and from their preliminary inspection we believe the towers are undamaged, but that conductor repairs and replacements are required.”
Mr Stewart said crews have been helicoptered in and will begin work as soon as they can get to the repair site itself.
“The area is remote and challenging so a bulldozer is on its way to help clear the terrain, but the sheer scale of the repairs and replacements that need to take place means it will be some time before power is restored. Residents of Gisborne and the East Coast should prepare to be without power until tomorrow afternoon.”
- Conserve water
- Keep fridges and freezers closed
- Make sure vulnerable people enact their emergency plans (call your family doctor or the hospital if you are unsure how to do this)
- Listen to your radio for upates
- Stay safe – treat ALL powerlines as live at ALL times
- Look after each other
- Please like and share our social media posts so that everyone is able to prepare for being without power.