Great Britain’s energy network operators have issued safety advice as an amber weather warning and several yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office.
The forecaster has also named Storm Henk which is due to bring disruptive winds of up to 80mph to southwest England and south Wales over the coming hours.
Later in the afternoon and evening, many parts of southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia could see gusts of between 50-70mph.
An amber severe weather warning for these areas has been issued until at least 8pm this evening.
During a storm airborne debris can pose a risk to infrastructure, increasing the risk of a power cut.
The companies which manage the power lines (network operators) have been monitoring the weather system closely and are making preparations, such as:
- arranging for extra emergency teams to be on standby
- placing vehicles and equipment in strategic locations to help if any repair work is needed
- proactively contacting customers who are registered for the Priority Services Register
Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association which represents the UK’s electricity network operators, said:
"If you come across power lines which have been brought down, keep yourself and others well clear. Call 105 for free to report it or dial 999 if there is an immediate danger to life.
"If you are in an area covered by a weather warning, our advice is to Prepare, Care, Share. Prepare by making a plan. Know what to do if storm damage causes a power cut. Care by checking in on people who might need extra help. And share this information so others know what to do too.
“Network operators are making their own preparations too, which involves contacting thousands of customers registered for the Priority Services Register, increasing staffing in control rooms, depots and customer service centres and standing up cross-industry coordination calls where all of the country’s network operators work together for customers.”
How to Prepare, Care, Share
Prepare
Make a plan. Know what to do if you have a power cut. Remember, gas boilers and hobs, heat pumps, internet and landline phones won’t work without power. Depending on where you are, you may also lose mobile phone signal.
- Keep a mobile phone fully charged
- Bookmark powercut105.com in your phone and add the free Power Cut? Call 105 number to your contacts
- Keep a torch handy in case you are without power during the night
- Have warm clothes, blankets and food which does not require heating accessible
- Leave a light on so you know when power is restored
Care
Check in with people who might need extra help. Help them sign up to the free Priority Services Register which can provide support. Make sure they know what to do if there's a power cut.
Share
Share this information so friends and family can make a plan too.
Important safety advice
Do not approach any fallen power lines or any other damaged electrical equipment, keep as far away as possible, warn anyone in the area to stay clear and call 105 to report it.
Calling 105 will connect callers to their local network operator. This is also who you should call if you have a power cut.
PowerCut105.com also provides direct links and details of how to contact network operators online and via social media to get information and updates about a power cut.
Press contacts for journalists
Pauline O'Brien
Head of Resilience Communications
ENA Press Office
About Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland.
ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably.
Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
What are energy network operators?
Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.