UPDATE FROM AUSNET SERVICES, 4:30pm: The cable impacting the Nagambie and Avenel areas has been repaired and we are currently carrying out testing. We are on track to restore the power by 5pm. Being an underground cable, there can be complications but at this stage we anticipate power will be back on by 5pm. Please note, those customers in Nagambie on supply from generators, we will need to switch the power off when we start to restore full supply.
UPDATE 4pm: SES have set up out the front of the pharmacy in Avenel. Residents can get their devices charged and SES members are offering medical advice. They'll be there until 5pm.
2:00pmA fault in an underground power line has left thousands of residents without power.
The fault occurred where the line goes under the Hume Freeway which made it extremely difficult for AusNet Services to isolate it.
An AusNet Services spokeswoman said that the power went off at 8pm last night but residents in the areas affected have reported losing power from 6:30pm.
"Underground faults are extremely difficult to locate and then repair. We had testers out all night and then in the early hours of this morning, they actually located where they thought the fault was and they had to dig underground and confirm that's where the fault is," the spokeswoman said.
"At first light we had crews come back to actually make the repairs."
Due to the complicated nature of the fault, it's estimated it won't be repaired until 5pm at the earliest.
The spokeswoman stressed that the outage had nothing to do with the heat and that it was a case of extremely poor timing.
The AusNet Services outage map shows that 1253 properties are affected in Nagambie alone and there are another 636 properties in Avenel, 46 in Seymour and 24 in Longwood all without power.
Strathbogie Shire Council has set up a relief centre at Longwood Recreation Reserve (2A Down Street) where residents can grab some water and cool down a little.
The shire is urging people make sure they stay hydrated and to check in on anyone they think could be at risk because of the heat.
Unfortunately the shire has had to close the Avenel and Nagambie pools because of the outage because the pool pumps can't be operated.
If there is an emergency situation, please contact emergency services on 000.
