More than 4500 homes across the Mid West are without power after a series of weather-induced pole fires triggered blackouts across the City of Greater Geraldton and shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley and Irwin.
The outages, which began in the early hours of Thursday morning, stretched across Geraldton, Waggrakine, Webberton, Spalding and Wonthella, reaching as far north as Horrocks, Binnu and Ajana.
Homes and businesses as far east as Devils Creek just south of Mullewa, and Mt Adams, east of Port Denison, were also left without power.
A Western Power spokesperson confirmed pole top fires damaged infrastructure in the Mid West area.
They said the pole top fires were primarily a result of moisture damaging the poles after a stint of hot and dry weather.
“Pole top fires can occur during light drizzling rain or misty damp conditions when a combination of recent dust and pollution builds up to create paths or ‘tracks’ on the insulators, enabling electricity to jump across. This tracking electricity can heat elements of the pole infrastructure to a point where they smoulder and burn,” the spokesperson said.
Restoration times across the region vary but it is estimated power will be back on between 5pm and 6.30pm. Power has already been restored to some homes.
“Each pole change can take between four to eight hours, depending on the type of pole, and unfortunately some customers may be without power until later in the day,” the Western Power spokesperson said.
According to a store owner, businesses in Northgate Shopping Centre have had to close except for Coles, which has stayed open thanks to a generator.