The poles, which carried the crucial 66kW transmission line servicing Manilla and Barraba, were between Cargills and Wallamore Rd. “These poles were introduced in the early 1990s and we’ve never heard of any of them broken like this in the last 17 years,” Country Energy regional manager Matt Patterson said.

“I’ve spoken to the guys in our repair crews, some of whom have been with us for 20 or 30 years, and they have never seen such damage.”

Mr Patterson said that while there had been anecdotal reports of wind speeds in excess of 150km/h, he wouldn’t be surprised if the winds that snapped the poles had been much stronger than that. He has estimated the damage to Country Energy’s infrastructure in the Tamworth region at more than $10 million so far.

Permanent repairs have been carried out on the 66kW transmission line with temporary repairs now also in place in other parts of the region.

Sections of the transmission line are now being carried on timber poles but these will be upgraded back to concrete at a later date.

Country Energy staff are confident permanent repairs to the local power grid should be completed by the end of the week.

Major damage to Country Energy powerlines was reported in the Bective and Hallsville areas with large trees being uprooted and then thrown into powerlines.

While most of the 7000 customers affected by the storm-induced blackout were back on mains power by 4am on Sunday, some had to wait much longer.

One Attunga resident told The Leader power was not restored until 6.30pm on Sunday.

Mr Patterson said when power was restored to districts there was often localised damage that affected individual homes.

“Our staff have acted as soon as people have called problems in,” he said.

He described the response to the crisis by Country Energy workers across the region as phenomenal.

“We have had approximately 80 people involved in the emergency response,” he said.