Metro and regional SA still without power and Telstra connection as schools remain closed

The clean-up from Saturday’s wild storm continues, with thousands of people still without power, including two dozen schools that remain shut.

Thousands of South Australians are still waiting in the dark, as more than 20 schools remain closed today following Saturday’s wild storm.

SA Power Networks reported 154 outages affecting 12,600 customers as of 6.00am on Tuesday.

The bulk of the outages are in metropolitan Adelaide, however some outages are scattered towards Berri and as north as Peterborough.

On Monday evening, the distributor sent out a text message to customers still facing outages.

The message said the majority of customers will have power back by the end of the day and advised more accurate restoration times will be communicated when available.

Storm damage at Blackwood Kindergarten. Picture: Craig McLoughlin

Storm damage at Blackwood Kindergarten. Picture: Craig McLoughlin

Meanwhile, at least 24 preschools and schools will remain closed on Tuesday as a result of ongoing power outages.

On Monday, 46 schools had temporarily closed, with 13 schools reopening during the day.

Department for Education Professor Martin Westwell said there is a likelihood that more schools will be able to reopen, if the power returns back to the school.

“As the evening goes on and even tonight, it’s possible that some of those preschools and school will get power back and may be able to open in the morning” Mr Westwell said.

“It seems that some of those that have been worst hit have been in the hills, some in the northeast of the city.” he said.

For the safety of all staff and students, Mr Westwell advised no one should be attending a school until the power is fully restored.

“It really isn’t safe for our students to go to that site. So where there is a power cut, there won’t be school at any of sites” Mr Westwell said.

A set of students at Blackwood High School were still able to sit for their 12 exams, without any power at the school on Monday.

Assistant Principal, Ashley Robinson told ABC Radio, the circumstances were unusual for the school and students.

“We had 15 student sitting a chemistry exam this morning, one student sitting a Chinese background speakers exam and another sitting an Arabic exam” Mrs Robinson said.

“We’ve found the best-lit place in the school and being a gloomy day, it added another challenge for us but we managed to open up our library and let the light in” she said.

The department of Education said the SACE board was advised that one school was unable to conduct the Chemistry exam on Monday morning, which impacted 25 students.

All the schools and students were able to proceed with language exams in the afternoon.

If the power outage has not been restored as expected by Tuesday, year 12 students from the affected schools will not go ahead with their scheduled exams.

On Monday, one school was unable to proceed with Year 12 exams, and there is a possibility According to the Department of Education, 80 students may be unable to sit for a Psychology exam scheduled for tomorrow morning, with 10 students potentially missing a Japanese exam.

“Those students just won’t sit for exams, all the other students around the states have been preparing for the exams but those exams will go ahead” he said.

Mr Westwell said the SACE board has pre-existing procedures in place, in the event a natural disaster prohibits students from sitting exams.

“For the students that don’t get to sit to the exam, the state’s board has a robust process to make sure that no student is disadvantaged by not sitting the exam” Mr Westwell said.

The school closures have been a result of flooding, power outages and structural damage caused by the weather conditions seen over the weekend.

“We’re in the hands of SA power networks, we’ve worked closely with them to make sure that our schools can get electricity back as soon as possible” Mr Westwell said.

Parents are encouraged to keep an open line of communication and monitor any announcements and updates made on their children’s school website.

The Department of Education will frequently update their Facebook page with any relevant information.

“We appreciate that these closures have been challenging for parents and families, especially when they’re dealing with some issues around power cuts themselves” he said.

Council workers clearing debris in the wake of Saturday’s storm in Blackwood. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The state emergency service reported approximately 800 requests for assistance from midnight on Sunday to around 2.00pm on Monday.

SES chief of staff Derren Halleday said 300 repair jobs remained on Monday and he expects the workload will ease within the next few days.

“Much of the damage has included roofs being removed, with trees on buildings, trees on power lines and trees over roads.”

It comes as an extensive telephone outage is preventing some SA communities from contacting triple-0.

On Sunday night, SA Police advised a number of communities in the north of the state had no Telstra service and are unable to contact emergency services.

These include Booborowie, Burra, Copley, Gidgealpa, Hallet, Leigh Creek, Marree, Nepabunna and Yeelanna, a spokesman said.

Anyone requiring medical assistance but are not able to call triple-0 (000) are asked to attend their nearest hospital.

Those who need anything else should go to the nearest emergency service facility (police or fire station), the spokesman said.

Power lines lay on the ground near a car destroyed in the wild weather in Blackwood. Picture: Keryn Stevens

⚠️ #Road Weather Alert issued for Monday morning around #Adelaide and the hills. Rain and low cloud will make #driving conditions dangerous. Check https://t.co/mFc7uLj6fg for details. @[e-mail]/cfwybpNsQ2

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) November 13, 2022

The showers have mostly eased throughout the CBD, with Adelaide to reach a top of 17C with some cloud on Tuesday.

Similar conditions are forecast for Port Pirie and Renmark, while Mount Gambier is set to receive a shower or two and a cooler top of 13C.

However, a Bureau of Meteorology forecaster said there are some showers moving over the Fleurieu Peninsula which could bring a drizzle to some hills and southern suburbs.

“We have cool conditions coming up before a high pressure system moves to the east on Thursday,” she said.

Another wet and stormy system is expected ahead of the weekend.