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South Australia weather: Thousands without power after wild storms hit state

Latest figures estimated 33,000 SA homes were without power across the state.

Latest figures estimated 33,000 SA homes were without power across the state.

About 33,000 properties are without power in South Australia, with Adelaide being the hardest hit, after a storm front crossed the state last night.

A line of thunderstorms moved across South Australia, dumping heavy rain including 58 millimetres at Leigh Creek, 49mm at Little Para Reservoir, 45mm at Edinburgh and 38mm at Wudinna.

Strong winds were also recorded, with a wind gust of 111 kilometres per hour at Adelaide Airport, while there were also 72 lightning strikes in two hours.

Some traffic lights in the city are also still not working this morning.

SA Power Networks spokesman Paul Roberts said many people would be without power for an extended period.

He said the storm had caused widespread issues and crews were working frantically to restore supplies.

“We had 72,000 lightning strikes between 7:00pm and 9:00pm in South Australia, there’s been a significant damage to the electricity network, particularly for metropolitan area customers,” Mr Roberts said.

The storm has been one of many in recent months that has caused electricity issues.

“We’re really getting unprecedented weather, people who have been working for 35 years in SA Power Networks say they’ve never seen this number of storms, this intensity of storms and this frequency of storms,” Mr Roberts said.

“It’s been crazy since July and I hope people understand it is weather related.”

The State Emergency Service’s Mike Baker said crews were kept busy after receiving 300 calls for help.

“Trees or tree branches falling onto roads and cars or you know, leaning against roofs, as well as a bit of water sort of damage,” Mr Baker said.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Simon Timkey said the front brought extreme conditions.

“We had a line of very intense thunderstorms move across the southern, well most of the state in fact, and brought fairly widespread areas of very gusty winds and very heavy rainfall with those storms,” he said.

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