Affected areas listed by Ergon include suburbs Fisher, Winston, Sunset, Healy, Pioneer, The Gap, Menzies, Mornington, Happy Valley, Kalkadoon, Parkside and Townview.

"The loss of supply is due to damage requiring emergency repairs," Ergon Energy said.

Ergon Energy says "fault finding is in progress" with an unknown estimated time of fix.

Unexpected power outages are also being experienced in the McKinlay shire, Kynuna and surrounding properties with 523 customers affected in Cloncurry, McKinlay, Kynuna, Maxwelton, Oorindi, Julia Creek and Nelia.

Power has also been cut at Richmond

A severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds has been issued for much of the North West.

At 6.23pm, the Bureau of Meteorology warned damaging winds were likely in the warning area over the next several hours.

"Locations which may be affected include Winton, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burketown, Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek, Camooweal and St George," the bureau stated.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should: 

* Move your car under cover or away from trees. 

* Secure loose outdoor items. 

* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. 

* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm. 

* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. 

* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. 

ABOUT 600 McKinlay Shire residents were out of power from 6pm Tuesday while some properties have been without power since Monday night. 

The hospital was forced to use its backup generators and schools had to open windows while temperatures reached almost 40 degrees.  

McKinlay Mayor Belinda Murphy said the power went out due to storms but they had four big generators arrive from Ergon Energy on Wednesday afternoon with five additional generators from Mount Isa expected to arrive by 10pm Wednesday night. 

When the generators arrived the hospital, school and other main services were the first to be connected to the power. 

“Julia Creek power went out about 6pm Tuesday but there are properties that had power outages the Monday about 9pm,” she said. 

“The main line has gone out and Ergon needs to fix this first as that’s the way the grid works.

“At this point the advice from Ergon, the damage done to two of the concrete polls is extensive and they are looking at getting it fixed by tomorrow [Thursday] evening.” 

Cr Murphy advised residents it was important that when power was restored they needed to be aware of conserving power.

Before the arrival of generators those that did not have a personal backup generator had to go without power in stifling conditions.

Cr Murphy said while local crews were doing a great job she does not agree with some comments made by Ergon Energy. 

“I don’t agree with Ergon’s comments that customers should provide their own backup services for when Ergon has issues with its services supplies,” she said. 

“I understand that storms are out of Ergon’s control but expecting for each resident to have a backup generator at their door is not an affordable option for a lot of people.” 

Cr Murphy said an incident like the power outage really showed how the community can pull together. 

“As a council we have tried to contact as many outlying residents as much as possible,” she said.  

“The town and all of its services have pulled together and have tried to provide as much relief as we can with the resource that we got. 

“If you are travelling through the area be patient as we haven’t had power.”