When the coast's power goes out
Summer storms
Council says storms usually hit between November and March. Even outside that window, a storm in May 2021 cut power to more than 5,000 homes, with hail and wind damage across Maroochydore, Nambour, Palmwoods, Eudlo and Buderim.
Winter east coast lows
From January to June, fast-moving east coast lows bring the winter storms. Council links the worst coastal hazards, including inundation, to these systems, and has prioritised Golden Beach and Bulcock Beach for coastal hazard investigations.
Cyclone remnants
Cyclones can reach the coast from December to April. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald had caused 32,000 power interruptions here by 28 January 2013.
Inland floods
Creeks, rivers and low-lying plains flood regularly in extremely heavy rain, and Council says that can happen in any month.
Hail
The November 2019 hailstorm damaged roofs, awnings and solar panels, and overflowing gutters sent water inside homes.
Water inside, or solar panels smashed?
If water has got into the ceiling, power points or the switchboard, turn the main switch off only if the meter box is dry and you're standing somewhere dry, then keep away. Don't touch hail-damaged solar panels or their cables. Get a licensed electrician to check everything before anything is switched back on.
What to do, in order
Check for danger
Smoke, flames, sparks you can't stop or someone hurt: call 000. Don't touch a person who may still be in contact with power.
Look up the street
If the neighbours are dark too, it's an outage. Report it to Energex on 13 62 62 or check its Outage Finder.
Lines down? Keep well back
Assume a fallen line is live, keep children and pets away, and ring Energex on 13 19 62.
Inside fault? Make it safe
Unplug what's on the circuit that tripped and try the safety switch one more time. A second trip means it stays off for an electrician.
Roof or tree damage
The SES takes storm damage calls on 132 500.
Getting an electrician out urgently
Pick Something's not working as the job and Today, it's urgent for timing. It goes to one licence-checked coast electrician who handles fault finding, when we have one near you. We can't promise a time, so if it's dangerous, ring 000 or Energex before you fill in anything.
Older house with no safety switch on the power points? Queensland's rule has an exception for emergencies, so a licensed electrician can still make the fault safe. Expect a recommendation to fix the missing protection afterwards.
Safe for you, and not
You can
- Switch off at the main switch, if it's dry and easy to reach.
- Unplug the appliances on a circuit that tripped.
- Report outages and fallen lines to Energex.
- Photograph storm damage for your insurer, from a safe distance.
Leave to a licensed electrician
- Checking wiring, power points and the switchboard after water gets in.
- A safety switch that won't stay on.
- Burning smells, buzzing or scorch marks at power points or the board.
- Checking the wiring of a storm-damaged solar system.
Ready before the weather turns
We'd save both Energex numbers and the SES number before November and keep a torch by the meter box, because on the coast the rough weather comes in two seasons, not one. When something goes wrong, deal with the danger first, the network second and the electrician third.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.