NORTHERN POWERGRID CONTINUES TO RESTORE SUPPLIES TO THOSE STILL AFFECTED BY STORM ARWEN AND IS PREPARED FOR STORM BARRA

UPDATE: As at 11.30pm the number of customers still affected as a result of Storm Arwen has reduced further to 500.

As at 9.30pm on 6 December 2021

• Number of customers still affected as a result of Storm Arwen reduced to 700 homes and businesses.
• Northern Powergrid ready to respond if Storm Barra affects its network.

Northern Powergrid is continuing its major restoration efforts after Storm Arwen devasted part of its electricity network, particularly in Northumberland and County Durham. 

The electricity network operator is also tracking the weather closely and has taken action to ensure its teams are ready should Storm Barra affect its network and disrupt customers.

With a Met Office yellow weather warning across the whole of the UK for tomorrow (7 December), Northern Powergrid’s teams have remained focused on completing as much restoration work as possible today for those customers still affected by Storm Arwen.

Working in ongoing challenging conditions, its teams have now restored power to around 239,300 of the 240,000 customers affected by Storm Arwen. 

With 700 customers still off supply as a result of the storm, Northern Powergrid’s teams will do all they can to reduce this number further and get the lights on for more customers tonight.

The forecast includes drifting snow in the Pennine regions of Northumberland, County Durham and Yorkshire and gusty winds across the whole of the North East and Yorkshire. This could impact Northern Powergrid’s network on higher ground and potentially disrupt customers, including those previously affected by Storm Arwen.

Unfortunately, Storm Barra’s arrival during the daytime tomorrow (Tuesday) could also impact the network operator’s work to rebuild overhead lines as it continues to get the remaining affected customers back on supply after Storm Arwen.  Its teams will continue to work wherever it is safe to do so.

The network operator has a fleet of 4x4 and, other specialist access equipment which it will use should windbourne debris, trees and other vegetation damage its overhead power lines and the weather makes travel and site access difficult. 

The company’s website – northernpowergrid.com - will be available for customers to get updates and report their power cut and it has teams available 24/7 by calling 105.

Power cut tips and advice include:

• bookmarking Northern Powergrid's online power cut map and reporting service on their mobile devices –northernpowergrid.com/power-cuts
• having a charged mobile phone with important numbers, including 105, easily accessible
• turning off electrical appliances at the socket (this is particularly important for heating or cooking appliances as your power could be restored at any time and potentially cause a safety hazard)
• keeping one light switched on so you know when power is restored
• keeping a battery or wind-up torch handy – as they're much safer than candles
• checking on your elderly or sick neighbours and relatives
• ensure you have warm clothing and blankets handy and some food and drink in your home that does not require electricity to heat or prepare it, and
• only call 999 in an emergency.