Power outages
Understand how to prepare for, manage, and recover from power outages.
Australia’s power supply works fine most of the time. But our changing climate threatens this system.
What causes power outages
Damage from natural hazards often leads to power outages. Common hazards include:
- bushfires
- floods
- storms
- cyclones
- extreme heat.
Power outages can also happen when the demand for electricity is high. This causes the network to overload and the power to go out.
Impacts and effects
Power outages can cause:
- services like phone lines, businesses, and public transport to stop working
- food, water and medicines to become unsafe
- critical medical equipment to fail.
When the power goes out, solar inverters stop working. This stops electricity flowing back into the grid. The technicians can then safely fix the grid. If you have a battery, the power may stay on.
Who is most at risk
If you use a medical device that needs power, it won’t work during a power outage. To stay safe, tell your electric company about your medical device.
Some medicines need cold storage. They might not stay safe during a power outage.
Before a power outage
Speak with your doctor about what could happen if you lose power. This could include problems with medical equipment and medicines.
Take these steps before a power outage to reduce your risk:
- Contact your electric company. Tell them if you have medical devices at home.
- Write a household survival plan and pack a home emergency kit.
- Search for alternative places where you could access power.
- Consider buying a backup power supply. A generator might be helpful.
- Make sure to charge your mobile phone regularly.
- Write a list of people you could ask for assistance during a power outage.
Stay informed by:
- knowing where to find out about planned and unplanned power outages
- following ACT Government social media channels.
During a power outage
Check for information about planned and unplanned power outages.
You might also find warnings and updates on:
- the ACT Emergency Services Agency website
- ACT Government social media channels
- ABC radio emergency broadcasts
- the Hazards Near Me NSW app.
Stay in contact with neighbours, friends, and loved ones. Reach out to your list of contacts if you need help.
If you or someone you know are feeling unwell:
- contact your doctor
- go to a walk-in centre
- call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
If you or someone else are experiencing a medical emergency:
- go to the nearest hospital emergency department
- call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
If the power will be off for a long time, it may be safer to move somewhere else. If you can’t stay with family or friends, try public places like libraries and shopping centres.
If you plan to stay at home, advice about what to do when the power goes out is available.
After a power outage
- If you experienced health concerns, talk to your doctor.
- Follow advice about food safety in the fridge and freezer.
- Keep track of public health warnings about the safety of drinking water.
- Consider what worked, what didn’t work and what you might do differently next time.