A mammoth effort by MainPower teams and support crews from around the country saw power restored to more than 400 customers by late last night.
As of 9.00am Labour Day, 220 customers remain without power, and the North Canterbury lines company is hoping to restore most of those today.
Acting Chief Executive Damien Whiffen says while there are still a number of locations yet to be assessed, teams have managed to get through much of the main work over the last three days.
“It’s astonishing to think that since late Thursday, after some of the most severe winds the region has experienced, our teams have restored power to more the 6,000 customers. Thanks to our incredible field staff, planning teams and design crews, we’ve put poles up, rehung lines, cleared vegetation and are well on our way to getting normal service restored.
“There are some customers who will remain without power until later this week. We’ve got some complex work to complete in some pretty gnarly locations to get lines back up all around the network, but our crews are up to the task and are determined to get it done as quickly as they safely can.
“Our customer service team is contacting those customers who are likely to be without power until later this week, to make sure they’re aware and prepared.”
Teams have been dispatched throughout the region this morning, including to Lewis Pass, Culverden, Lake Sumner and Lees Valley.
“We’re keeping an eye on the incoming weather system and monitoring that closely. Those customers who are likely to remain without power for a number of days should prepare appropriately for the cold snap. Any concerns, customers can call the Hurunui District Council which is still running an EOC and can offer assistance.”
