Power Outage Sunshine Coast: Live Updates, Causes & Preparation Tips
Life on the Sunshine Coast offers sun, surf, and a relaxed vibe—but it also brings storms, bushfires, floods, and cyclones. The recent events of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred were a big reminder of how quickly things can change, cutting power to over 300,000 homes and businesses across Queensland and New South Wales.Even if your electricity stayed on, it’s clear how important it is to be prepared for power outage Sunshine Coast. From checking real-time updates to staying safe and planning ahead, you’ll find everything you need in this guide.
Latest Power Outage Updates on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast’s recent brush with ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred left a clear reminder of just how disruptive severe weather can be—especially when it comes to power supply. As the system swept across South-East Queensland, it brought torrential rain, damaging winds, flash flooding, and widespread blackouts.At the height of the storm, more than 300,000 properties across Queensland and northern New South Wales lost electricity, with significant impacts on the Sunshine Coast. Suburbs from Caloundra to Noosa experienced outages as fallen trees, floodwaters, and damaged power lines cut off supply.Thanks to around-the-clock efforts by Energex crews, more than 90% of customers had power restored by mid-March. According to Energex, thousands of additional workers were brought in to help repair critical infrastructure, clear debris, and reconnect homes and businesses.While most services are now back online, the event has sparked fresh conversations around disaster readiness, grid resilience, and communication during emergencies. The Sunshine Coast Council’s Disaster Hub and Energex’s Outage Finder were crucial in keeping residents updated in real time throughout the crisis.As of now, power across the Sunshine Coast is nearly fully restored. But with weather patterns growing more unpredictable, staying informed and prepared for the next Sunshine Coast power outage has never been more important.
Common Causes of Power Outages on the Sunshine Coast
Electricity outage Sunshine Coast can happen for all sorts of reasons—many caused by events like the cyclone, some planned, and others unexpected. power outage duration
Severe Weather Events
Living in a coastal region means we’re no strangers to wild weather. Storms, lightning strikes, high winds, bushfires, and heavy rain are among the leading causes of outages.As we saw with ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, extreme weather can bring down trees, damage power lines, flood substations, and make it unsafe for crews to access infrastructure. These events also result in long power outage duration.
Fallen Trees and Vegetation
Even on a sunny day, trees near powerlines can be trouble. Strong wind gusts or heavy branches can knock into lines, cutting power to entire streets or suburbs. That’s why Energex regularly trims vegetation near their network.
Equipment Failure
Sometimes, outages are caused by faults in the power grid itself. Transformers, switches, and cables can wear out or fail without warning, especially during peak demand times (like hot summer days when everyone’s cranking the air con). These faults usually affect smaller areas but can still cause a decent disruption.
Wildlife Interference
It might surprise you, but possums, birds, and even snakes are known to cause outages when they come into contact with electrical equipment. These kinds of interruptions are typically short-lived and localised—but they’re definitely more common than most people think.
Planned Maintenance
Energex regularly carries out planned maintenance to keep the network safe and reliable. These outages are usually announced in advance, giving you time to prepare.
Accidents and Human Error
Car crashes that damage power poles, construction mishaps, or even someone digging in the wrong spot can lead to unexpected outages. While not as frequent, these incidents can affect power supply and sometimes take longer to fix depending on the damage.
How to Check for Power Outages in Real Time
Needless to say, staying informed during a power outage on the Sunshine Coast is crucial for your safety and convenience. Here’s how to check power outages in your area and stay updated:
Energex Outage Finder
Energex, the primary electricity distributor for South-East Queensland, offers an interactive Outage Finder map tool that provides up-to-date information on both unplanned outages and scheduled maintenance. This user-friendly map allows you to:
View Current Outages: Identify areas experiencing power interruptions.
Check Restoration Times: Access estimated times for power restoration.
Receive Updates: Stay informed about the status of ongoing outages.For those who prefer a text-based format, Energex also provides text views of planned outages and emergency outages.
Sunshine Coast Disaster Hub
In addition to Energex, the Sunshine Coast Council’s Disaster Hub offers comprehensive information during emergencies, including power outages. This platform provides:
Real-Time Updates on unplanned power outages.
Emergency Contacts
Local ABC radio for emergency announcements.
Flood mapping
Tips for Staying Informed
Bookmark Essential Websites: Save the Energex Outage Finder and Sunshine Coast Disaster Hub for quick access during emergencies.
Register for Notifications: Energex offers SMS or email alerts for your property. Register at its official website to stay informed with timely updates.
Follow Social Media: Stay connected with Energex and the Sunshine Coast Council on Facebook for real-time announcements.
Report Outage to 24/7 Hotline:Call 13 62 62 to report an outage or obtain information on estimated restoration times.
What to Do During a Power Outage?
Experiencing a power outage on the Sunshine Coast can be unnerving, but knowing the right steps to take can help you stay safe and minimize inconvenience.
Ensure Safety First
Stay Away from Fallen Power Lines: If you encounter downed power lines, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters. Always assume they are live and dangerous. Report them immediately to Energex at 13 19 62.
Use Generators Safely: If you’re using a gas generator, operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated area to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring without a professionally installed transfer switch.
Use Battery-Powered Lights: Avoid using candles or gas stoves for lighting, as they can pose fire risks. Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead.
Preserve Food and Water
Keep Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed: A closed refrigerator can keep food cold for about 4 hours, while a full freezer can maintain its temperature for up to 48 hours. Minimize opening these appliances to retain the cold.
Monitor Food Safety: Perishable items like meat, dairy, and seafood should not remain in temperatures between 5°C and 60°C for more than four hours. If they have, it’s safer to discard them to avoid foodborne illnesses.
Manage Electrical Appliances
Unplug Sensitive Electronics: Disconnect devices such as computers, televisions, and microwaves to protect them from potential power surges when electricity is restored.
Leave One Light On: Keep a single light switched on so you'll be alerted when power returns.
Stay Informed
Use Battery-Powered Radios: Stay updated on weather conditions and emergency announcements by tuning into local stations with a battery-operated radio.
Limit Phone Use: Use your phone (on low-power mode if needed) to access real-time updates via Energex, local authorities, and the Bureau of Meteorology. Other than that, conserve your battery.
How to Prepare for Future Outages?
The best way to reduce stress during blackouts is to be ready before they happen. Here’s how you can prepare for power outages:
Create an Emergency Kit
Having a ready-to-go kit means you won’t be scrambling in the dark. Your power outage emergency kit should include:
A working torch or headlamp (plus extra batteries)
Phone chargers and power banks
Battery-powered or wind-up radio
First-aid supplies
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Manual can opener
Copies of important documents (physical or saved offline)
Tip: Store your kit somewhere easy to access—even in the dark.
Make a Power Outage Plan
Think through what you and your household would do if the power went out for a few hours… or a few days. Consider:
How you’ll communicate (especially if phone networks are down)
Where to go if it becomes unsafe at home
How to keep pets safe and comfortable
What to do if you have kids, elderly family, or people with special medical needs
Protect Important Devices
To avoid damage from sudden surges when power returns, plug sensitive electronics into surge protectors. If there’s a storm warning, consider unplugging devices like TVs and computers altogether.
Invest in Backup Power Solutions
If you’ve gone through a long blackout caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, you’ll know how important it is to have a reliable backup power source. There are a few different options:
Emergency generators for house (petrol or diesel) can power essentials, but they can be noisy and need to be used outdoors due to carbon monoxide risks.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are handy for keeping computers or modems running short-term.
Modern battery home backup generators (also called portable power stations) can store solar energy for use during blackouts, offering a more sustainable, reliable, and quieter solution.
If you’re looking for something powerful, versatile, and future-proof, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is one of the best solutions available right now. This advanced battery generator packs serious punch, delivering 230V and 4,000W of output from a single unit—more than enough to power most essential household appliances like fridges, freezers, modems, lights, and even air conditioners.
The DELTA Pro 3 comes with a 4kWh battery capacity, which is already impressive, but it can also be expanded up to 12kWh for longer blackouts. That means you could stay powered for multiple hours—or even days—depending on your usage. It’s ideal for Sunshine Coast homes wanting peace of mind during storm season or unexpected outages.
One standout feature is the 10ms automatic switch-over, which helps protect sensitive electronics like servers, NAS drives, and home entertainment systems from sudden shutdowns. It also offers super-fast charging, reaching 80% in just 50 minutes, and supports multiple charging options, including up to 2600W of solar input—perfect if you want to pair it with EcoFlow’s solar panels for longer, off-grid independence.
Despite all that power, the DELTA Pro 3 operates surprisingly quietly (just 30 dB under lighter loads) and is built for the elements with an IP65-rated enclosure that resists water, dust, and even fire. With up to 4,000 charge cycles and an estimated 11 years of daily use, it’s designed for long-term reliability. It also comes with a user-friendly app for real-time control and monitoring, plus built-in wheels and a handle for easy mobility.
Maintain Your Property
Trim back trees near power lines (hire a professional—don’t do it yourself).
Check your switchboard and safety switches regularly.
Have an electrician inspect your setup if your lights flicker or appliances trip circuits often.
Conclusion
Dealing with a power outage Sunshine Coast can be challenging, especially when severe weather events like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred led to extended blackouts. However, by knowing how to access real-time updates and taking proactive steps to prepare, you can minimize the impact on your daily life. From creating a comprehensive emergency kit to investing in backup power sources like EcoFlow’s solar generators for prolonged outage, being well-prepared means you’ll spend less time worrying and more time staying safe and comfortable.
FAQ
How long do power outages usually last on the Sunshine Coast?
Power outages on the Sunshine Coast can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the cause. Minor faults or planned maintenance are usually resolved within a couple of hours. However, during severe weather events like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, outages can last for a day or more, especially if there’s widespread damage to power lines or infrastructure.
How do I report a power outage in my area?
To report a power outage in your area, contact your local electricity provider. If you’re experiencing a power outage on the Sunshine Coast, you can report it directly to Energex by calling 13 62 62 (24/7). If you see fallen power lines or dangerous electrical hazards, call 13 19 62 immediately and stay well clear.