Residents across the Pilliga and Warrumbungle area woke up without their alarm clocks this morning, with a power outage affecting the region. 

Almost 4000 homes and businesses have been affected by the power outage, with power yet to be restored.  

According to Essential Energy, the outage was caused by a lightning strike, with thunderstorms hanging around in the area into the afternoon.

“Electricity network protection equipment operated automatically after detecting a fault, switching power off to 3,975 homes and business in Coonabarabran, Baradine, Binnaway, Ulamambri, Mullaley and surrounding area, around 7am this morning,” said an Essential Energy spokesperson. 

Crews have responded to the outage, and have identified a broken high voltage insulator as the cause of the outage. 

Essential Energy crews are working to complete repairs, and hope to have power restored to all customers by midday today.