What happened: storms disrupt power across Dunedin
Severe thunderstorms swept across Dunedin and the wider lower South Island, knocking out power to hundreds of homes and businesses. While some suburbs have had electricity restored, a sizeable number of customers remained offline late on Tuesday as weather crews assessed the damage to powerlines and transformers.
Where outages are most felt
Crews reported the heaviest impact in and around Mosgiel, a town just outside Dunedin, where multiple feeders were affected by the storm cells. The disruption extended into neighboring rural communities, with rural lines and service poles bearing the brunt of the high winds and lightning. Residents described momentary outages during downpours, followed by slow progress as circuits were repaired and safety checks completed.
How restoration is progressing
Energy provider Aurora Energy said power had been restored to many customers in the Mosgiel area, but as of 10pm the company still listed around 300 customers without electricity. The company cautioned that some outages could take longer to fix due to the complexity of the damage, including downed lines in difficult-to-reach locations and the need to perform safety assessments on damaged equipment.
What households can expect
Officials urged residents to stay away from any downed powerlines and to prepare for potential extended outages. People disconnected by the storms should prepare an emergency kit with essential items, including warm clothing, flashlights, batteries, and drinking water. For those reliant on medical equipment, the advice remains to have backup power solutions and, if possible, a plan to access facilities with power.
What caused the disruption?
MetService meteorologists attributed the outages to a line of thunderstorms that moved across the region, bringing gusts and lightning. Power networks are designed to withstand typical weather, but severe storms can generate impulse damage that affects multiple poles and transformers at once. The incident highlights the vulnerability of even modern grids to short, intense weather events.
Staff safety and community impact
Repair crews are working under challenging conditions, prioritizing critical infrastructure and residential safety. Local residents reported delayed traffic and detours near fault zones as crews moved trucks and equipment into place. Some businesses closed temporarily as power stability is maintained, with many retailers offering limited operations until power is fully restored.
Looking ahead: preparing for more activity
Forecasts indicate a continued, though less intense, risk of unsettled weather in coming days. Authorities encouraged households to monitor local advisories, keep mobile devices charged, and sign up for outage alerts from their electricity provider. While swift action is being taken to restore service, residents should be prepared for possible further interruptions during ongoing weather systems.
As restoration continues, officials emphasized gratitude for the public’s patience and the hard work of utility crews who are safely repairing damaged infrastructure across the region.
