NORTHERN POWERGRID CONTINUES TO RESTORE POWER TO THOSE STILL AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF STORM ARWEN

• Largest storm for 15 years to impact Northern Powergrid's network leaves trail of damage to repair.
• Teams working at height from first light to carry out necessary work to restore supplies for customers still affected and power restored to around 200,000 customers.
• Helicopter in skies spotting damage locations to inform teams on the ground.
• More than 1,100 reported incidents requiring significant repairs and new areas of damage still being discovered as Northern Powergrid restores power to parts of the network.
• Energy industry mutual aid agreement invoked resulting in additional engineers arriving today from Northern Ireland Electricity and UKPN to support extensive permanent repairs needed.

Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity distribution network across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has restored power to around 200,000 of 240,000 customers whose power supplies have been affected by Storm Arwen.

From first light Northern Powergrid's teams continued work on the huge task of repairing the damage left in the wake of the storm and identifying further points of damage that will need to be repaired. All resources available are deployed, including contractors, and the network operator, as part of an industry mutual aid agreement, has also secured additional teams from other UK network operators to bolster its response and assist with the complex permanent repairs needed following the impact of the storm.

With more than 700 (of 1,100) incidents still to address, there is a huge amount of work to be completed. Many of the faults will require intensive work and are localised with smaller numbers of customers associated, which means some customers will remain off supply for long periods as the network operator works through this programme. Northern Powergrid's teams are identifying those at risk of being off supply for more than another 24 hours so customers can make alternative arrangements.

Rod Gardner, Northern Powergrid's Major Incident Manager, said: "The storm was well forecasted and despite being prepared, Storm Arwen resulted in damage of a scale and intensity not seen for 15 years. Despite yesterday's condition hampering our ability to travel and work at height, we did manage to restore power to 180,000 customers by various means available to us in day one of this event.

"We're sorry that some customers are still without power despite the huge effort by our colleagues. We understand the impact this has on peoples' lives particularly at this time of year.

"We worked into the night and did everything possible to restore as many supplies as we could. We have a lot of work still to do, but our dedicated teams will not stop until we complete all the work required.

"Due to the magnitude of the storm, our website was inundated with requests and was not able to keep pace with demand. We pride ourselves on being able to keep our customers informed and we are doing everything possible to keep people updated using all available channels including social media. We're sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to address this.

"We have had a dedicated team contacting our priority services customers to offer support. Our customer support vehicles are also being used in communities, wherever possible, to support our customers and we continue to work with the British Red Cross and multi-agency partners to support the most vulnerable members in the communities worse affected."

The company' 24-hour contact centre continues to have additional advisors who are offering customers support and advice.

Northern Powergrid is reinforcing the importance that local people who spot any damaged cables or equipment must not approach the area as equipment may still be live and pose a risk of electrocution. Customers must contact the company immediately by calling 105.

Power cut advice and tips include:

• turn 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)
• keep one light switched on so you know when power is restored
• keep a battery or wind-up torch handy - they're much safer than candles
• bookmark Northern Powergrid's online power cut reporting service on your mobile devices - www.northernpowergrid.com/power-cuts and add 105, the free power cut, to mobile phone contact details
• have a charged mobile phone with important numbers, including Northern Powergrid's contact details, easily accessible.
• check 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
• only call 999 in the event of an emergency.

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