Eh? Energex and QLD electricity commision has asked for us to have 50 men from EnergyAustralia ready to go up, as far as I know the electricity infrastructure up in QLD has never been tested on CAT. 5 cyclones so they decided to pull the plug, rather than risk it and be held accountable for deaths and further damage.
Storm may cut power
Ms Bligh said Ergon Energy was planning for an event that could see anywhere between 150,000 and 200,000 people lose power, even in areas not impacted by the cyclone.
"They expect that we could see the impact come as far south as Mackay in relation to electricity supply," she said.
"Because this event has now escalated to a category five event, we also need to understand that it will have the capacity to bring down transmission towers.
"This means that electricity supply could be seriously disrupted even in parts of regional Queensland that do not have the effects of the cyclone and people need to be ready for that possibility."
She said 800 electrical workers would be on the ground from Saturday to ensure power was being reconnected as soon as possible.
Ms Bligh also warned there could also be a breakdown in telecommunications.
Optus and Telstra were working to put extra experts on the ground as soon as possible to restore phone networks.
"They have located additional technicians, generators and a satellite system in Mackay to transport quickly," she said.