UPDATED: Roughly 1,800 Alice Springs properties remain without power 48 hours after a massive storm tore through town on Monday, with the Finocchiaro CLP Government offering residents a “one-off $250 prepaid card” to replace spoiled food – if their power remains out for at least another 24 hours – but it was announced later that significant federal disaster funding has now been made available.

The severe storm, that saw wind speeds of up to 96 km/h, ripped through Alice Springs and outlying communities late Monday afternoon damaging property, pulling roofs off homes in some instances, and downing trees. The government reported “significant and widespread damage to the power network, including fallen trees and damage to other electrical infrastructure”.

Power and Water Corporation brought in extra crews from across the Territory to assist with restoration efforts. Initially, 9,000 properties were without power, but that figure was down to 2,000 by noon on Wednesday and 1,800 later in the day.

The government has still not provided a total estimated cost of the damage and said power may not be fully restored until the weekend.

It said the prepaid card will be “funded entirely” by the NT Government but did not say Wednesday morning if it would be seeking federal disaster relief funding for what has been called the worst storm Alice Springs has seen in 40 years. It was revealed last month that the Finocchiaro CLP Government had left tens of millions of dollars in unclaimed flood disaster relief payments on the table by not applying for it following flood events earlier this year.

But later Wednesday it was announced residents who sustained significant damage to their homes and businesses would be able to access Federal Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements, which will include areas covered by Alice Springs Town Council, MacDonnell Regional Council and Central Desert Regional Council.

That includes a one-off payment of up to $16,901 per household to assist eligible owner-occupiers with essential structural repairs to damaged homes where insurance might not meet repair costs.

Funding assistance covering up to 50 per cent of eligible freight costs incurred as a result of the disaster, capped at $15,000 will also be available, as well as grants of up to $10,000 for organisations “whose assets have been significantly damaged as a direct result of the disaster and which have no reasonable prospect of obtaining commercial finance”.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro issued a statement Wednesday morning to pledge the $250 prepaid card, which she said would “help ease the pressure on families who had lost power for three days or longer”. She made no reference at the time to federal disaster payments.

“We know this storm has turned life upside down for many families in Alice Springs and surrounding communities,” she said.

“Losing power for days on end is difficult enough without having to throw out the food in your fridge and freezer and find the money to replace it.”

Power and Water said Tuesday night it had restored power and critical infrastructure to Old Timers Aged Care, St Johns Ambulance station, the fire station, Alice Springs’ water source at Roe Creek borefields, schools and all sewerage pumping stations, except Amoonguna.

Severe weather systems in the region have impacted progress, the electricity provider said at a press conference Wednesday, with any threat of thunderstorms necessitating crews stopping work until it is safe to continue.

It said weather permitting, Wednesday would be spent focusing on “complex repairs to major infrastructure on the backbone of our network”. Restoration efforts would also be focused on several remote communities including Hermannsburg and Wallace Rockhole, the company said.

“Given the extent of damage, it will take some days to restore power to all customer,” Power and Water said in a statement.

“We appreciate the impact of extended power outages on homes and businesses is frustrating and thank customers for their patience as our crews work to safely restore services.”

Alice Springs Town Council was also reportedly working through “priority areas” as part of the clean-up, which saw many residents working together to help neighbours clean up debris from properties.

Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan, who is also the Member for Namatjira, said in the government statement that clean-up and recovery operations are continuing, but offered no estimate for what the storm damage has cost.

Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher flew to Darwin in September to meet with the NT Government to discuss what “problems” it might have in applying for federal disaster relief payments after it did not apply for “tens of millions of dollars” which was ready to be paid out following flooding events in remote communities earlier this year, which stalled relief efforts in Daly River.

Ms Finocchiaro has claimed the NT will apply for that money before the end of the year but it was not clear earlier on Wednesday if the NT had sought any federal assistance with the Alice Springs storm recovery efforts.

Feds offer money to NT Government to help with Alice Springs storm clean-up

Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said in a statement Wednesday that by activating disaster recovery assistance for the Alice Springs storm, NT Government departments and local councils will be able to access “exceptional relief and recovery measures within affected communities that go beyond the capacity of the Northern Territory Government or local councils”.

“This may include activities to make damaged properties or threatened homes safe and habitable,” she said.

Federal money will also be available for repairing or restoring essential public assets and infrastructure, including immediate emergency works such as debris removal and repairs.

“The Albanese Government has moved quickly to make this assistance available so those who have been impacted by this severe storm get the support they need to recover,” Ms McBain said in a statement.

“This joint funding will help local recovery efforts get underway as quickly as possible.

“We continue to stand ready to support Territorians as we move into the disaster season.”

Ms Finocchiaro said in Parliament Wednesday that 51 houses in Alice Springs were damaged during the storm on Monday, including six that saw parts of roofs torn off and one that lost its roof completely.

All debris on roads has been cleared, while 13 fences and six vehicles were reported as sustaining damage, with 125 calls for emergency support placed.

Ms Finocchiaro said in a joint statement with the Federal Minister that the “emergency funding will provide practical help” for homeowners and community organisations.

More information on disaster assistance payments can be found at the federal disaster website.

The current Alice Springs power outage map is available at Power and Water’s website.