NSW: Gale force winds cause power cuts

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2001
NSW: Gale force winds cause power cuts

SYDNEY, Aug 18 AAP - Tens of thousands of homes are without power as gale force winds
buffet Sydney and eastern NSW today.

The gales resumed this morning causing chaos for emergency workers as trees were brought
down and roofs blown off buildings.

Integral Energy spokeswoman Kate McCue said at least 25,000 homes were without power
in Sydney's outer west and South Coast.

"It's quite likely some people will be without power until tomorrow," she said.

"The wind is not due to abate until late this afternoon and we're gearing up for a
major repair operation - it's just so widespread," she said.

Ms McCue said the majority of problems were caused by branches and trees falling on
power lines. She asked for patience from customers.

Energy Australia spokesman Peter Leate said the company had tens of thousands of people
without power across Sydney and the Central Coast.

"Please bear with us, there are obviously problems outside and we're doing the best we can.

"Safety is the important issue with a lot of lines down this afternoon," he said.

Emergency services were rushed off their feet as calls came in.

A NSW Fire Brigades spokeswoman said she had never seen it so busy.

"I've got 54 jobs on the screen, we've got roofs off and trees down ... it's just all
over Sydney," she said.

State Emergency Services (SES) spokeswoman Laura Goodin said the service was receiving
hundreds of calls for help.

"I'm expecting another three to four hundred calls today.

"The southern areas have been hit and we're now following the wind's progress as it
slams through the northern part of Sydney," she said.

Ms Goodin said about 400 volunteers were working to clear trees and fix damage to buildings.

She said the windstorm, which began on Thursday night, was the largest storm to hit
the state since January 2000.

Weather Bureau forecaster Elly Spark said the winds were expected to die down tonight.

The wind was not expected to be as strong tomorrow but Monday could see gale force winds
once again.

AAP ph/cdh/de

KEYWORD: WINDS

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