Vector media statement
 
Vector crews have been working through the night and morning to restore power to thousands of customers who have been affected by flooding. 
 
As of 11am, nearly 23,000 homes and businesses have had their power restored and approximately 3,500 are still without power. We expect that number to fluctuate across the weekend as continued poor weather brings slips and causes more damage to the network. 
 
We are liaising with Civil Defence and Auckland Emergency Management, as well as with the emergency services. Our focus is on restoring high voltage lines for the first 24-48 hours, followed by low voltage lines serving neighbourhoods and individual homes.
 
The worst hit areas are in the north and west of the region and are proving the most difficult to reach and we are sending a helicopter up today to survey the extent of the damage at Kawau Island. 
 
Our crews continue to face challenges getting to outages to assess the damage, with two crews forced to abandon their cars overnight because of floodwater. Their safety and the safety of communities is of utmost importance at all times.
 
Anyone whose home has been flooded should take extra care. It is understandable people will want to return to their homes, however there could be damage to the electrics in their properties.
 
Safety advice

• We advise avoiding direct contact with any remaining water; switch off the electricity supply at the fuse box if it is safe to do so. If there is evidence of water inside the fuse box or if there are signs of arcing or overheating, contact a registered electrician.

• Please unplug damaged electrical appliances, make sure hobs, TVs and other appliances have been turned off, and move all portable appliances away from the area affected by flooding. 

• Keep away from exposed wiring, arrange for other services, such as gas, to be switched off: electricity and gas supplies should not be turned back on until you have had advice from a registered electrician/gas specialist that it is safe to do so.

• People using medical equipment that relies on electricity should let their retailer know if they are without power. If there is an immediate health threat, they should contact their health provider or call 111.