Severe weather disrupts power supplies
A combination of strong winds, heavy ice and snow have brought down overhead power lines in the Northeast and Yorkshire areas affecting power supplies to customers.
As of 08.00 today (Wednesday 4 April), Northern Powergrid had managed to restore 50% of customer supplies affected by the severe weather conditions and it is now dealing with around 200 known incidents. Approximately 40,000 properties are still without power.
Access and travel to locate and repair the damage is challenging due to the weather conditions, including snowdrifts, and is continuing to impede progress. All available engineering teams have been deployed and are working hard to restore power to customers as soon as possible.
Additional teams are also answering customer calls at the contact centre.
Northern Powergrid apologises for inconvenience caused and asks customers for their patience while repair and restoration work is carried out.
Significantly impacted areas include Whitby in North Yorkshire with 12,000 customers without power, and 4,000 customers affected in Consett, County Durham.
Northern Powergrid has offered the following advice to customers who are currently without electricity to help minimise disruption:
• Have a battery-powered radio tuned into the local radio station for updates
• Turn off electrical appliances at the socket. This is particularly important for heating or cooking appliances as power could return at any time and potentially cause a safety hazard if you are absent, asleep or unaware
• Keep one light switched on so that you know when electricity has returned
• Check on any vulnerable neighbours and relatives to make sure they are comfortable and well
• If you have access to an alternative source of heating, try to keep one room warm and stay in it
• If you do not have an alternative source of heat, wrap up warm and have a blanket at hand
• Use battery-powered lamps or torches if possible instead of candles as they are safer
• Only call 999 in the event of an emergency
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