How to Handle Broken Hill Power Outage: Be Informed & Prepared
If you’ve lived in Broken Hill for a while, you know power outages aren’t exactly rare—but the storm that hit in October 2024 was next-level. That massive supercell ripped through the region, taking down powerlines and leaving homes and businesses in the dark for days, even weeks in some spots. It was a tough reminder of how quickly life can be disrupted when the power goes out.
Whether it’s wild weather like that or scheduled maintenance, a Broken Hill power outage can throw a serious spanner in the works. That’s why it helps to know what causes them, how to check for updates, and what steps you can take to stay safe and prepared. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly that.
Common Causes of Power Outage in Broken Hill
Power outages in Broken Hill can happen for all sorts of reasons—some planned, others completely out of the blue. Here are the most common causes of power outages to watch out for:
Severe Weather Events
Storms are the big culprits here. The supercell storm in October 2024 is a perfect example—strong winds, Lightning strikes, and heavy rain brought down seven transmission towers, leaving approximately 20,000 residents without electricity.
While Broken Hill was spared the worst impacts of the recent ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in early March, neighbouring regions in northern New South Wales and Queensland experienced significant disruptions. These events underscore the vulnerability of power infrastructure to severe weather conditions.
High Temperatures and Heatwaves
Broken Hill is no stranger to scorching days. During extreme heat, the power grid can get overloaded as everyone cranks up their air con. When demand spikes too high, it can lead to unplanned outages or rolling blackouts designed to prevent bigger failures.
Equipment Faults
Unexpected power outages can happen when aging infrastructure, faulty transformers, or damaged underground cables give out. And if the main power goes down, things can get even worse if backup generators don’t work like they’re supposed to.
That’s exactly what happened during the October 2024 Broken Hill blackout—one of the city’s two backup generators wasn’t working at all, and the other one failed right when it was needed most.
Planned Maintenance
To improve the power grid, utility providers like Essential Energy and Transgrid regularly schedule maintenance or upgrades. These planned outages are announced in advance to minimize inconvenience.
Wildlife and Vegetation
It might surprise you, but birds, possums, and even snakes can cause outages by getting into substations or climbing on powerlines. Trees and branches falling onto lines—especially after rain or in strong winds—are another common cause.
Accidents or Human Error
Car accidents that hit power poles, construction work that digs into underground cables, or even mistakes during repairs can all lead to outages. These types are usually localised, but they can still leave you without power for a few hours.
How to Check Power Outage Updates in Broken Hill
Experiencing a power outage can be challenging, but knowing how to stay informed about the situation can make a significant difference. Here’s how you can check for Broken Hill power outage updates:
Essential Energy’s Outage Map
Essential Energy provides a comprehensive online Broken Hill power outage map that offers real-time information on current and planned outages:
Access the Outage Map: Visit Essential Energy’s Power Outages page.
Search Your Location: Enter your address or navigate the interactive map to view outages affecting your area.
View Details: The map provides information on the nature of the outage, estimated restoration times, and the number of affected customers.
Contact Essential Energy Directly
If you prefer speaking with someone or require more detailed information:
Phone: Call Essential Energy’s outage hotline at 13 20 80 for updates or to report an outage. You can also call 13 23 91 for general enquiries.
Online Reporting: Use their Report an Outage feature to notify them of issues.
Follow Local Updates and Social
During major events, Essential Energy and emergency services often post updates on social media or through local news outlets. To stay informed in real time:
Follow Essential Energy @Facebook
Tune into ABC Broken Hill on radio or visit their website for news on widespread outages and recovery efforts.
What to Do During a Power Outage
When the power goes out—especially unexpectedly—it can be a bit unsettling. Here’s what you can do to keep safe and comfortable until power returns:
Check If It’s Just Your Property
Start by looking around your street or checking with neighbours to see if their power is out too. If it’s just you, check your switchboard for any tripped safety switches or blown fuses.
Visit Essential Energy’s Power Outage Map to see if it’s listed online. If not, report the outage by calling 13 20 80 or using their online reporting tool.
Unplug Electrical Appliances
To protect your devices from possible power surges when electricity is restored, unplug sensitive appliances like TVs, computers, and kitchen equipment. Leave one light on so you’ll know when the power’s back.
Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Closed
Try not to open the fridge or freezer unless absolutely necessary. Food can stay cold for several hours if the doors stay shut—up to 4 hours for a fridge and 24–48 hours for a full freezer.
Use Battery-Powered Lights Instead of Candles
Candles might seem like a quick fix, but they’re a fire hazard—especially during a stressful time. Battery-powered torches or lanterns are much safer and more reliable.
Avoid Downed Power Lines
Stay at least 8 meters away from fallen power lines and report them to Essential Energy immediately.
Stay Informed
Use a battery-powered radio to receive updates from local authorities and emergency services. Conserve your phone’s battery by minimizing usage. Save it for essential communications and updates.
How to Prepare for Future Power Outages in Broken Hill
If you’ve been through the October 2024 storm, you know how important it is to be proactive and plan ahead. Here’s how to prepare for power outage at home:
Put Together an Emergency Kit
Have a go-to kit ready so you’re not scrambling when the lights go out. Include:
A torch (or a few) with spare batteries
A fully charged power bank for your phone
A battery-powered radio for local updates
Bottled water and non-perishable food
A basic first aid kit
Essential medications
Candles and matches (used safely)
Keep your kit in an easy-to-access spot and check it every few months to replace expired items.
Know How to Manually Operate Garage Doors and Gates
Many modern garage doors and gates won’t work without power. Make sure you know how to switch them to manual mode if needed—especially if you need to get out quickly during an emergency.
Prepare Your Home
Trim trees near powerlines to help reduce the chance of storm damage (hire a pro if needed).
Invest in surge protectors for your appliances.
Secure outdoor items like furniture or bins before high winds hit.
Invest in Backup Power Solutions
If you experience frequent outages or just want peace of mind, a reliable emergency generator for house is a must. Traditional petrol or diesel generators are a go-to for many households during outages, which can be quite powerful and are often affordable upfront. But they’re noisy, produce fumes, and need to be operated outdoors due to safety risks like carbon monoxide.
On the other hand, battery home backup generators are a cleaner, quieter, and more convenient option. When paired with solar panels, they can recharge themselves using the sun. They’re also safer to use indoors, require no fuel, and often support smart features like app control and automatic switchover when the power goes out.
If you’re thinking of going the battery route, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is one of the best all-in-one solutions on the market—and it’s perfect for homes in Broken Hill.
With 230V and 4000W of output, it’s strong enough to handle fridges, lights, Wi-Fi routers, and microwaves and washers—all from a single unit. It comes with a 4kWh battery capacity, which is already enough for most homes in an emergency, but you can expand it up to 12kWh if needed. That means you’re covered for days.
The DELTA Pro 3 also kicks in almost instantly—within 10 milliseconds—so your devices like home servers or entertainment systems won’t skip a beat. Unlike noisy petrol generators, it runs whisper-quiet at just 30 dB under normal use. Its plug-and-play design makes it super easy to get started.
You also have multiple charging options. You can plug it into a standard outlet, fast-charge it up to 80% in just 50 minutes, or pair it with EcoFlow solar panels to keep it charged using up to 2600W of solar input.
Built with automotive-grade LFP cells, it’s tough enough to handle heat, dust, and rough conditions (with an IP65 rating), and it’s rated for 4000 cycles, giving you up to 11 years of daily use. You can manage everything from your phone via the EcoFlow App, and thanks to wide wheels and a compact handle, moving it around is no hassle.
Make a Family Plan
Talk with your family or housemates about what to do if the power goes out—especially if it happens at night or when you’re not all home. Designate a meeting place and ensure everyone knows emergency contact numbers.
Conclusion
Dealing with a Broken Hill power outage isn’t always easy—especially when it hits without warning. But as the October 2024 storm showed us, being prepared can make all the difference. Simple things like having a torch handy and charging your devices in advance when storms are forecast can save you a lot of stress. And if you’re keen to future-proof your home, don’t hesitate to take those bigger steps, like investing in one of EcoFlow’s portable power stations. Power outages might be part of life out here, but with a bit of planning, they don’t have to knock you off track.
FAQs
How can I check the latest updates on the power outage in Broken Hill?
You can check the latest updates on a power outage in Broken Hill by visiting Essential Energy’s outage map for real-time info on current and planned outages. You can also call their hotline on 13 20 80, tune into ABC Broken Hill on radio, or check the Central Darling Shire Council website for local updates during major disruptions.
What happened to power in Broken Hill?
In October 2024, a severe storm brought down seven major transmission towers south of Broken Hill, cutting off the main power supply to around 20,000 people. Backup generators were deployed but faced technical issues, leading to rolling blackouts and limited power for over two weeks. Temporary towers were built, and full power was restored by early November.
What is the power supply to Broken Hill?
Broken Hill gets its main electricity supply from a 220kV transmission line (‘Line X2’) running about 260km from Buronga, NSW, linking it to the National Electricity Market. The town also supports its power needs with local renewable sources like the 53MW Broken Hill Solar Plant.