Severe weather has wreaked havoc across parts of New South Wales and South Australia, particularly affecting regional areas. Reports indicate that Broken Hill experienced significant disruptions due to what has been described as a possible tornado, leading to widespread power outages and impacting mining operations at Olympic Dam.
On the night of Wednesday, October 17, Broken Hill lost power around midnight. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has indicated that the damage observed in the area is consistent with the effects of damaging winds, potentially linked to a tornado. This phenomenon is not uncommon in Australia, which experiences between 30 to 80 tornadoes annually, although many may go unreported in remote regions.
According to South Australia’s Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis, the storms resulted in wind gusts reaching up to 130 kilometers per hour and over 130,000 lightning strikes within a 24-hour period. The storm’s intensity has led to the destruction of seven transmission towers, severely affecting the power supply to the Olympic Dam mining site.
Minister Koutsantonis confirmed that mining operations at Olympic Dam would be halted for an estimated five to seven days due to ventilation issues, despite the facility having its critical power needs addressed. “All of the safety issues are in place to ensure that the smelter can remain operational and warm,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of safety during such extreme weather conditions.
A spokesperson for BHP, the company operating the Olympic Dam, noted that the electrical storms had caused significant structural damage to transmission lines, including those supplying power to both Olympic Dam and Roxby Downs. “ElectraNet crews are working diligently to restore power as soon as possible, and we are collaborating with them to assess the impact and recovery timelines,” the spokesperson added.
While power restoration efforts are underway, Broken Hill is currently relying on generators for electricity. Transgrid, the owner of the power infrastructure, has warned that repairs could take several weeks to complete. Local Member of Parliament Roy Butler has called for immediate action from the New South Wales government to address the situation and ensure that residents and businesses receive the support they need during this challenging time.
The wild weather has not only affected power supplies but has also disrupted daily life and business operations in the region. Residents have been urged to stay informed about weather updates and to take precautions as further storms may occur in the coming days.
As the situation continues to develop, authorities remain focused on restoring power and ensuring the safety of the community. The impact of these severe storms serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of such natural disasters.
