Supporting residents affected by recent floods
Horizon Power would like to thank everyone for their patience and resilience during this difficult time. Our people work and live in the communities we serve - and we're focussed on providing continuous, safe power to customers affected by the recent floods.
As the recovery effort continues, you can find the latest updates and support information below.
| 16 February 2023 |
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First LNG fuel supplies shipped into Derby and Fitzroy crossing Our Kimberley power stations are fuelled by diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG). But the road closures caused by flood damage meant we had to switch to temporary diesel generation. With roads starting to open in the flood impacted parts of the Kimberley - we can now transport LNG back up to our power stations in Derby and Fitzroy Crossing - and switch back to our normal fuel supply. In case of any future weather events or road closures - we'll have the back up generation on standby just in case. The Halls Creek power station will continue to be powered solely by diesel until the Fitzroy Crossing bridge can be rebuilt. |
We're here to help
Our local support team is here to help you with your power supply or electricity account. If you've been directly affected by the floods, there may be financial relief options available to you. This includes ensuring you won’t have the power disconnected if you're unable to pay your bill (resulting from the emergency).
Accounts & billing
- 1800 931 207 (Monday to Friday between 8am – 5pm) - for all account enquiries and to find out about the ongoing support available
Faults & reconnections
- 13 23 51 (24/7) - for all faults, outages and power reconnection enquiries
Reconnecting your power after flood damage
We’re working on the electricity network to ensure it can safely power the whole community. Flood affected properties may need to be disconnected and electrical repairs completed before these properties are safe to reconnect to the network.
Here’s what to expect:
Do not assume your property is safe...
... and check if it has been disconnected by Horizon Power.
When you return to your property, do not turn your power back on or use any electrical devices or appliances.
Please check your meter box first for a fault note – to confirm if your property was disconnected by Horizon Power to make it safe.
If you've not received a fault note...
...and there is evidence of high water levels or water leaks inside your property, contact Horizon Power immediately on 13 23 51.
Our crews will attempt to attend each property to externally assess if the property has been inundated with water.
If we suspect any water has entered the property – then we’ll disconnect the power supply and issue a fault note.
If you have received a fault note...
...speak with a Licenced Electrical Contractor to arrange repairs.
If your property is not electrically safe, we cannot restore your power until the issue is fixed.
Contact a WA Licenced Electrical Contractor to inspect and repair the damage. You’ll need to arrange this work at your expense.
Electrical fault is repaired & Horizon Power notified
Once the Licenced Electrical Contractor has inspected and repaired the damage, they will sign the temporary disconnection tag and fault note confirming it’s safe to restore power.
The contractor will send this to Horizon Power, so we can arrange for your power to be reconnected.
How long will it take to reconnect power after repairs are complete?
Once we’ve received the signed temporary disconnection tag from your Licenced Electrical Contractor - confirming the property is safe to be reconnected - we’ll arrange to get your power restored. We’re working to conduct these assessments and restore power to impacted homes and businesses as quickly and as safely as we can.
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I’ve received a disconnection or fault notice due to flood damage, how do I get my power back on?
This means that there are concerns about the electrical safety of your premise. You need to contact a Licenced Electrical Contractor to inspect and repair the damage to your home or business before we can restore power.
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When will my property be assessed?
Our crews have started the process of assessing all network electrical infrastructure and assessing the impact on individual homes and businesses. It’s difficult to give a specific time right now. We know this may be frustrating - but we must always put the safety of the community and our employees first.
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Is there anything I need to do before the assessment?
Please ensure our crew has access to your property to prevent any unnecessary delays in carrying out the assessment. It’s also important your details are up to date so we can easily contact you. Call us on 1800 931 207 to update your details.
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Who can carry out repairs at my property?
Only a Licenced Electrical Contractor has the expertise to check the electrical safety at your home and conduct repairs.
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I am renting my home. What do I do?
Please forward the fault note to your landlord or property manager to arrange repairs.
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Why do I have to pay for the electrical repairs at my property?
If the damage or fault is located within your property boundary - and is not Horizon Power owned electrical infrastructure - the repairs are your responsibility. Your insurance provider may be able to offer assistance.
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Why am I without power if I'm not affected by flooding?
We know many of our Kimberley customers are not directly affected by the floodwaters. But you may experience a power outage in the coming days.
For safety reasons we may need to isolate or switch off sections of the network if:
- power infrastructure is under water or damaged; or
- if people come too close to our infrastructure.
As the flood waters move throughout the Kimberly over the next few days, there may be further outages. Read our tips on how to prepare for an outage.
We have crews on standby to assist with faults where it is safe to do so. Sometimes we can turn the power back on remotely, but there are times when we need to visually inspect our infrastructure. This is to identify any damage and ensure it is safe to restore power.
We apologise for the inconvenience but keeping everyone safe is our priority. The high water levels mean that people travelling in boats could be close to powerlines or our infrastructure, and are at risk.
To keep up to date on outages in your area including estimated restoration times - use our outage finder or download the app.
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How long will I be without power?
It’s difficult to give a specific time right now. We know this may be frustrating however we always put the safety of the community and our employees first.
There are many factors that determine how quickly we can turn the power back on. This includes having safe access to our powerlines and infrastructure or to damaged homes and businesses.
Our crews have started the process of inspecting infrastructure, to identify any damage due to water or debris and ensure it’s safe to turn the power on.
When it’s safe to do so as water recedes, we'll restore power to affected customers and communities as soon as we can.
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How do you prioritise who is restored first?
When we respond to a potential network fault, we will must first ensure the site is safe for our crews and for the community.
We will then assess the damage and prioritise the order of repairs so power to the greatest number of customers can be restored as soon as possible, along with power to essential health and community services.
Once we complete the repairs, the typical sequence in the restoration process is as follows (with some occurring simultaneously):
- Essential services
Efforts to restore power to emergency service and critical community infrastructure is a priority - such as hospitals, police, ambulance, fire brigade and water treatment facilities. - High voltage lines
Bulk transmission lines are the backbone of the network, supplying power to many customers across a large geographic area. - Localised faults
Affects clusters of homes and businesses and involves distribution powerlines which connect to individual locations such as powerlines in local streets. - Individual homes and businesses
When network repairs are completed, service lines that connect power to individual homes and businesses are repaired.
- Essential services
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.