POWER restoration has been slow in the Upper Hunter and lower North Coast areas due to the extent of damage to the electricity network.
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Widespread damage occurred when a large storm front moved through the area on Sunday afternoon. The damage included trees across powerlines, broken poles and pole cross-arms and lightning strikes to equipment.
Worst hit were Dungog, Stroud, Gloucester, Bulahdelah, Nabiac and surrounding areas up to and around Taree, including Wingham and the coastal strip.
Around 7200 customers remained without power on Monday, out of a maximum of 36,000 at the height of the storms. Essential Energy called in additional crews from both inside and outside the region to assist local depots.