It took a while before the extent and cause of the cut became apparent. It seems that work was being done on the alternative power line to Northland when a pylon on the line in use fell over. Presumably, someone was having a bad day as it looks as though the bolts holding the pylon down had been removed and the pylon fell over. This cut power to just under 100,000 people.
We are on fibre so were without a landline and only had intermittent cellphone coverage. Luckily, our wood burner has a removable top giving a hot surface and we were able to boil water and heat a casserole and rice for lunch.
The power eventually came back on at about 5 pm although full power is not expected until after the weekend so everyone is asked to conserve power and water in the meantime.
Of course all the traffic lights were out and police were on duty at major intersections.
photo of fallen pylon from New Zealand Herald
Several large businesses including the milk giant, Fonterra, and Portland cement have stopped using power until the emergency is over.
I heard about this on the news last night, crazy that so many people went without electricity. I read this morning on stuff news that apparently one of the workmen was told to undo bolts on it so they could clean underneath when it fell over, how true that is I don' tknow.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like what happened.
DeleteA very bad day for that person, and at least you did have the fireplace top, we could use ours too, and this morning I asked Hugh to give me a lesson in starting our generator, just in case.Hope it all returns to normal very soon.
ReplyDeleteYes I wouldn't like to be in his/her shoes. Still thinking about a generator (very noisy). I would like solar panels and battery but Doug not keen. Have just cooked lunch on our fireplace.
DeleteNo power cut here, BUT our wood-burner looked exactly like yours yesterday. Why waste good heat. Foul weather here.
ReplyDeleteWeather not too good here either but it is winter.
ReplyDeleteWe take so much for granted these days especially power - it is not until we loose it that we realise how dependant we are on it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems as though everything needs power nowadays. There are so many people, especially the elderly, who are dependent on power for heating
DeleteAren't those wood burners marvellous. Heat and food.
ReplyDeleteYes, fabulous, especially in power cut.
DeleteGlad you were able to cope alright. That pylon falling over was so unusual. Hopefully it isn't a taste of times to come.
ReplyDeleteWhat with that and the Inter Islander I am not so sure.
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