Power has been restored to hundreds of customers after severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle battered remote communities in Far North Queensland.
Narelle was initially forecast to make landfall on the Far North Queensland coast as a high-end Category 4 system, with some early modeling even indicating potential strengthening to a Category 5 before crossing. While it fluctuated in intensity, it officially crossed the coast as a Category 4 system.
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More than 2000 customers were without power at the peak of the event, which caused damage to the power network at Aurukun, Coen, Cooktown, Hope Vale, Lockhart River, Napranum, Rossville, and Wujal Wujal.
Ergon Energy emergency manager Chris Hooper thanked disaster-affected communities and customers for their preparedness and patience during a challenging restoration effort for Ergon Energy crews.
“The only way into our isolated communities was by air, so our crews needed to fly hundreds of kilometres, carrying all their equipment with them and doing emergency repairs without the benefit of bucket trucks,” Hooper said.
“To be able to get the lights back on to all customers less than a week after a severe tropical cyclone crossed the coast is no mean feat—our crews and everyone who supported them behind the scenes have done us proud in difficult circumstances.
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“We are also grateful for the support of councils, local disaster management groups, emergency services, aviation service providers and community volunteers,” Hooper said.
