About 40,000 people are still without power this morning but Eastland Network crews continue to work on high voltage lines near Hangaroa, south of Gisborne, after a light plane crash interrupted electricity supply to the entire East Coast yesterday.
General manager Brent Stewart says crews worked during the night but had to stand down briefly as storms brought heavy rain, wind and lightning to the remote area.
“We’ve got around twenty people there and they are working as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions. We are still hopeful power will be restored by late this afternoon but there is a big task ahead.”
Mr Stewart says other teams worked yesterday afternoon and evening under the guidance of Civil Defence to install around 25 generators across Gisborne city.
“These have been put into supermarkets, food outlets, petrol stations and aged care residences.”
He warned all residents to make sure they continued to treat all lines as live at all times.
“Power supply may be restored at any time.”