The South Australian government will hold an independent inquiry into the state's readiness for storms and blackouts after the entire state lost power last week.  Premier Jay Weatherill says the review, led by former SA Police Commissioner Gary Burns, will investigate the circumstances of the storms, the state's emergency response and its preparedness for the power outage.  "Every single South Australian was affected in some way by this horrific storm," Mr Weatherill said on Tuesday.  "South Australians responded with a collective resolve that should make us all proud.  "Nevertheless, as a government there are always lessons that can be learned from an extreme weather even such as this.  "So it's important there's a thorough, independent review."  The review will seek to identify deficiencies and recommend changes, with an interim report to be delivered to the premier as soon as possible.  The Australian Energy Market Operator is also undertaking its own inquiry into the technical issues surrounding the power outage.  At the height of the storms last Wednesday, powerful winds tore 23 transmission towers from the ground, turning the lights out on 1.7 million people.  Power returned to much of Adelaide within several hours of the initial outage but for some in regional areas the blackout lasted far longer.  Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula was without power for two whole days.  Intermittent phone and internet coverage proved difficult for families while most people could not work during the outage.  Hospitals across the state reverted to backup generators but at Flinders Medical Centre the generators failed because of a broken fuel pump.  Seventeen patients had to be transferred to Flinders Private Hospital during the night and some needed help breathing with manual respirators.  Life-support machines reverted to battery power when the generators cut out and no lives were lost.  But 12 families lost embryos at the hospital's fertility clinic during the blackout.  Despite the efforts of scientists at Flinders Fertility, the incubators were compromised and the embryos could not be saved.  The vast Whyalla steelworks, owned by Arrium, was one of a number of businesses disrupted by the widespread outage.  Mining operations and regular production of 3,500 tonnes of steel a day were halted, with generators only able to support critical operations.  BHP Billiton was also forced to suspend operations at its massive Olympic Dam site, where it produces copper, gold and uranium.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill will announce a review on South Australia's response to a state-wide blackout in the wake of severe storms.