Storm Season Means Fallen Powerlines. Do You Know What to Do?

07 Dec

Too Long, Didn’t Read (TL;DR)

• Stay clear of fallen powerlines. Always assume they are live and dangerous. Keep at least 10 metres away and never attempt to move or repair them yourself.
• Never touch people, vehicles, or objects in contact with powerlines. Electricity can travel through them. Call Triple Zero (000) for emergency help.
• Remain in your vehicle if a powerline falls on it. Stay calm, keep windows and doors closed, and wait for emergency services to arrive.
• Be storm-ready with an emergency kit. Include a battery-operated torch, spare batteries, portable radio, first aid kit, water, food, and secure loose garden furniture before storms.

Severe Storms and Powerlines: What to Expect

The holiday season is on its way, and that means storm season is, too. Severe weather is a part of life here in Queensland, which can include cyclones, hail, heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding. You may notice the power go out or hear unusual commotion on the street, but one thing is certain — natural disasters can cause serious damage to homes, infrastructure, and even bring down powerlines.

They can be brought down by falling trees, lightning strikes, high winds and any other manner of accident or event. However it happens, and whether the powerlines are on public property or on your own private property, you need to know what to do when you see them.

What To Do When You See Fallen Powerlines

Fallen powerlines aren’t always as obvious as you might think. They can, of course, be broken lines lying across a road. But damaged lines can also be indicated by arcing wires, damaged or fallen poles, exposed underground cables or even damaged pillars.

So, what should you do if you see any of these things?

Stay away.

We can’t stress this enough. Always stay clear of any fallen power lines or exposed underground cables, even if they’re from your private property power poles or are on your private land.

For your own safety, give yourself at least ten metres clearance from any downed lines at all times. Once the electricity reaches the ground, the ground itself can become energised, with the voltage not dropping to zero until 10 metres from the point of contact.

Fallen powerlines can be a life threatening situation. And it’s not always clear if they are live or not. And with automatic switching, a line that wasn’t live, could become live at any time. It’s best to always assume fallen powerlines are active, so never approach them under any circumstances.

Never touch a person or object in contact with a fallen power line.

Never touch anything or anyone that has come into contact with a fallen power line. This includes vehicles, trees or even flood water. If the line is still live, you could be seriously injured.

Even if the fallen powerlines are on your private property, you should never attempt to repair them on your own. Always report fallen powerlines to emergency services or contact us at 07 3284 6690. We have a 24/7 emergency response team and will be to you quickly.

Be careful when cleaning up after a severe thunderstorm.

Be extra vigilant when cleaning up around your property. Sometimes fallen or exposed lines can be hidden in debris or even floodwaters. If you see anything that looks like it could be a power line, don’t take a chance; leave it be.

What To Do In An Emergency

If you see someone who has been electrocuted by a fallen power line from property power poles or on public lands, never touch them. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately and wait for help.

If the person is able to walk and can get themselves away from the energised area and to safety, you can then help attend to their injuries. Treat any burns by running them under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, and then covering them with a non-stick dressing. Never use salves or ointments on a burn.

Even if the victim feels OK, it’s always best to have them checked by emergency services.

Powerline fallen on your car? Remain in the vehicle

If a live powerline lands on your car, the safest place is inside until help arrives.

• Call Triple Zero (000) immediately and explain the situation
• Stay calm and keep your family safe by avoiding doors, windows, and anything metal inside the vehicle
• Do not attempt to leave unless directed by emergency services — the ground around the car could be live with electricity

Stay prepared and keep an emergency kit in your home or vehicle

Emergencies often happen without warning. Having a kit ready helps you act quickly and safely. Pack items such as:

• Battery-operated torch and spare batteries, so you’re never left in the dark during blackouts
• Portable radio to stay informed when phones or the internet go down
• First aid kit to treat minor injuries until help arrives
• Water and non-perishable food to last at least 3 days
• Phone charger or power bank to keep communication open
• Personal items like medications, important documents, and copies of ID
• Secure garden furniture and loose items around your home before storms — they can quickly turn into dangerous projectiles in strong winds