EMERGENCY crews will work across the weekend to restore power and basic water supply to Trentham where residents have been effectively isolated from the region since Wednesday.
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A Powercor representative, speaking to a Trentham public meeting on Friday afternoon, said this was a major reconstruction rather than a repair job across grids.
He said Powercor's intent was to first restore "backbone supply" to the town's main street by Friday night, then, the key areas of town that can take supply.
This was met with cheers from residents who, with power, would also finally be able to have a hot shower.
A do not drink order has been issued for Trentham in what a Coliban Water representative, speaking to residents, said was a conservative move due to concerns for a burst pipe in the network. He said chances for contamination were likely small but until the leak was found, which could be days, extra care was needed. This included a 25 per cent reduction in water pressure.
Once power returned, residents would be able to shower, use water in food preparation and ice but not for drinking.
Trentham resident Sherrilyn Deed, who lives just outside the town centre, said not even being able to flush the toilet properly had been an issue.
Ms Deed was cut off from the town centre by road for more than a day with large trees blocking the path. The only news updates should could get on radio were focused on COVID-19 restrictions and flooding in Gippsland.
She said Trentham's IGA had been so supportive in helping the wider community.
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The IGA supermarket's generator died shortly after it had whirred to life. A electrician from Ballarat, who arrived via Gisborne and Woodend, worked through Thursday night to install a new generator.
Country Grocer IGA co-owner Ben Decis said "tens of thousands" of dollars' stock had been lost but sister store in Ballan had helped get basics into town, like extra water, to offer residents. A free sausage sizzle fired up on the footpath.
Earlier, supermarket workers Brooke and Paige Healy had dropped off deliveries and checked on vulnerable community members while roads were blocked.
"As much as you want to keep the business afloat, it's about locals," Mr Decis said.
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