ID :
193268
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 13:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/193268
The shortlink copeid
More bad weather to come for NSW
SYDNEY (AAP) - July 06 - The worst may not be over for south eastern NSW as authorities struggle to restore power and water, and re-open roads following an overnight battering by near hurricane-force winds.
Fallen power lines have blacked out some 30,000 homes across the Blue Mountains, Kangaroo Valley, North Bomaderry, Nowra and isolated parts of the Shoalhaven and areas of the Wingecarribee.
Acting State Emergency Operations Controller, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch, said conditions were expected to worsen.
"Residents need to be aware that it is going to take some time to fully restore power to all areas, with some lines being brought down in terrain which is difficult to access," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Emergency workers have been deployed to those areas and it is hoped power will start being restored to most areas by the end of the day."
But the commissioner warned the recovery could be hampered by further damaging winds forecast for later on Wednesday, and there could be more power outages.
"Be assured, those emergency workers are doing all they can in the extreme and dangerous conditions," he said.
Emergency operations centres have been established in the Blue Mountains to help co-ordinate the emergency response and motorists are being urged to avoid all non-essential travel to the area.
Police are also warning motorists to drive to the conditions, obey directions given by emergency services and to stay away from fallen power lines.
"This is not a time for sight-seeing," they said in a statement.
"Residents should secure any loose items around their home."
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins has cautioned be careful when using candles.
"Our fire and rescue crews have already responded to two house fires in the Blue Mountains this morning which they suspect were caused by candles the residents were using during the power blackout," he said in a statement.
"With some homes still without electricity and more wild weather predicted to continue today in some parts of the state, we want to urge householders to take candle fire safety seriously."
Fallen power lines have blacked out some 30,000 homes across the Blue Mountains, Kangaroo Valley, North Bomaderry, Nowra and isolated parts of the Shoalhaven and areas of the Wingecarribee.
Acting State Emergency Operations Controller, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch, said conditions were expected to worsen.
"Residents need to be aware that it is going to take some time to fully restore power to all areas, with some lines being brought down in terrain which is difficult to access," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Emergency workers have been deployed to those areas and it is hoped power will start being restored to most areas by the end of the day."
But the commissioner warned the recovery could be hampered by further damaging winds forecast for later on Wednesday, and there could be more power outages.
"Be assured, those emergency workers are doing all they can in the extreme and dangerous conditions," he said.
Emergency operations centres have been established in the Blue Mountains to help co-ordinate the emergency response and motorists are being urged to avoid all non-essential travel to the area.
Police are also warning motorists to drive to the conditions, obey directions given by emergency services and to stay away from fallen power lines.
"This is not a time for sight-seeing," they said in a statement.
"Residents should secure any loose items around their home."
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins has cautioned be careful when using candles.
"Our fire and rescue crews have already responded to two house fires in the Blue Mountains this morning which they suspect were caused by candles the residents were using during the power blackout," he said in a statement.
"With some homes still without electricity and more wild weather predicted to continue today in some parts of the state, we want to urge householders to take candle fire safety seriously."
