Floodwater in the house: leave the power off
If you're asked to evacuate, switch off at the main switch if it's safe to do so. Don't use appliances or touch wet electrical gear until the home is dry and a licensed electrician has checked it. Keep at least 8 metres from damaged or fallen lines and report them to Endeavour Energy on 131 003. For flood rescue, call the SES on 132 500, and 000 if life is in danger.
Getting a flooded home reconnected
Endeavour inspects first
After the March 2022 floods, Endeavour did a preliminary check and disconnected suspected flood-damaged homes at the meter box or at the pole or pillar.
You engage a licensed electrician
Endeavour says arranging the inspection and repair of the internal wiring is the property owner's responsibility.
The electrician lodges a CCEW
After repairs and testing, they lodge a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work with Endeavour Energy.
You call for reconnection
Once the home is safe, phone Endeavour on 131 003 to have it reconnected.
The Hawkesbury's risks
Floods are a fact of life
The NSW RFS says most of the Hawkesbury's urban area is prone to at least a 1 in 100 year flood, worst in Windsor, Richmond, North Richmond, Wilberforce and Pitt Town. The March 2021 flood peaked at 12.9 metres AHD at Windsor, and the 1867 flood reached 19.7 metres.
Big recent floods
In March 2021 Endeavour cut power for safety to about 1,000 low-lying homes along the Hawkesbury and Colo rivers. In March 2022 the river at Windsor rose higher again, and about 1,700 customers were isolated for flood safety.
Fire too
The RFS says the district averages 265 bush fires a year, with a season from October to March.
Mostly Endeavour Energy
Points we tested at Windsor, Richmond, Pitt Town, Wilberforce, Kurrajong, Bilpin and St Albans fall outside Ausgrid's area. The Wisemans Ferry area falls inside it, so check your bill.
Houses, and plenty of renters in town
86.8% of the City of Hawkesbury's 23,060 occupied homes were separate houses in 2021. In Windsor 41.6% were rented, and in Richmond 44.1%.
Before the next flood or fire
Know where your main switch is and that the whole household can reach it. If outbuildings, pumps or sheds sit low on the block, ask an electrician whether their circuits can be isolated separately, so you can keep the house running while the low ground is off.
Before the water comes up
We'd sort out the electrician before the flood, not after it, because every flooded home on the river needs one at the same time. Ask a licence-checked local sparky who does flood reconnections to look at your board now. Tell us your suburb and we'll match you with one.
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.