Fallen tree brings down Leongatha's power

HALF of the town of Leongatha is out of power and has been since about 6am this morning, Monday, October 31, after a tree fell across powerlines as a result of stormy winds.

Ausnet say they expect power to be returned by 1.30pm, if not earlier, although power did flick on and then quickly off again at about 9.30am.

There are 1338 Ausnet customers off in Leongatha, including much of the commercial area, where the bread and pie ovens at the local bakers went off at the peak of production and café owners arrived to find they were without power to get their coffee grinders and fridges going.

Thornton's Bakery in McCartin Street is still serving hot pies from the heat still in their ovens from the overnight baking.

Some parts of the town are on however, with McDonalds still serving coffee, muffins, toasties and hotcakes.

Affected towns include: Fairbank 25, Ruby 12, Leongatha North 46, Wild Dog Valley 8, Leongatha 1338, Kardella 2, Arawata 8 and Mount Eccles 27.

There are also 29 electricity customers off at Newhaven.

Elsewhere power is off at Mirboo North where 38 customers are affected, also at Allambee South 30, and Hallston 45.

Winds gusted to 80km/h at Wilsons Promontory on Monday morning, but elsewhere in the district, the winds had not gusted above 60km/h. It is believed that the saturated ground, after constant rain, has made some trees unstable.

A spokesperson for Ausnet said crews had identified the problem and had crews out working on the line where the tree had brought down some of the district’s power.

She reminded people not to approach fallen lines, and assume they were still live.

Ausnet advised affected customers to watch the Ausnet website for updates on https://www.outagetracker.com.au/