Australia Weather News

Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula has been without power for almost two days and is virtually cut-off from the outside world following Wednesday's statewide blackout.

The city is experiencing disruptions to some of its essential services — there is no power in the town, and mobile phones and landlines have also been affected.

There is also no hot water and concerns over all water supplies.

"We've been advised to use as little cold water as possible due to SA Water's concerns," ABC Eyre Peninsula reporter Brooke Neindorf said.

ElectraNet, which provides electricity infrastructure across Australia, said it was hoping to restore power to Port Lincoln by late this afternoon.

"Crews with cranes and other equipment have been dispatched to a fault detected west of Tumby Bay, which is affecting the restoration of power," it said in a statement.@mal

"Assessing and repairing this remains our highest priority.

"Weather conditions have eased slightly, however access to some areas is difficult because of storm damage and sodden ground."

All schools and many shops in Port Lincoln are shut, and there is no ATM access.

Paul Roberts from SA Power Networks said there was a major issue with the supply network.

"There's been a transmission line hit between Yadnarie and Port Lincoln, so the transmission can't be supplied via that line," he said.

"The generators that are operated in Port Lincoln for ElectraNet under contract haven't been able to supply that lower Eyre Peninsula which normally they could."

More than 10,000 homes and businesses on Eyre Peninsula and in the state's upper north have been without power since the statewide power failure on Wednesday.

It began when twin tornadoes resulted in the toppling of three critical transmission towers in the state's Mid North.

On Thursday, SA Water advised local residents to begin rationing their use of water.

"Due to ongoing loss of power in the Eyre Peninsula region, this is affecting our ability to refill storage tanks," it said in a statement.

"Eyre Peninsula residents, especially those in the Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay areas, are asked to restrict the use of water to essential purposes only to ensure sufficient supply until after power has been restored."

Premier Jay Weatherill will meet with Port Lincoln locals after flying there today.

Port Germein jetty damage prompts tourism fears

Port Germein's 1.5-kilometrejetty has taken a hammering during the storms, raising concerns it will impact on the town's tourism traffic.

What was once the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere only underwent repairs following a storm earlier this year.

"The high tides last night caused storm damage and it is worse damage than last time," local resident Chris Benson said.

"The walkway has been washed away more than ever, and a lot of big rocks have been moved around."

Ms Benson said she was worried about the impact the damage would have on the small town.

"It really affected the town last time because the jetty is the town. It brings the tourists in," she said.

"When it was closed last time you could see the effect on the local town."

Further south at Port Broughton, crab fisherman Andrew Nunan has not been able to work for several days and was losing income.

"It's been pretty ferocious and the tide has been extremely high," he said.

"The jetty was basically underwater [and] we haven't been able to go fishing.

"It's just too dangerous to go out."

Mr Nunan said he was hoping to return to the water on Saturday.

"There’s a little bit more weather coming … but we’re just going to have to put up with it," he said.