Further to our message yesterday, UK Power Networks would like to update you on the possible severe weather event that is due to continue over the East and South East of England and London area today, Saturday 19 July.
UK Power Networks has now issued a Weather Warning and we will be continuing to work closely with the Met Office. The Weather Warning is due to the Met Office’s forecasts of thunderstorms, localised gust of wind, lightning and heavy rainfall with hail.
How has UK Power Networks prepared for this severe weather event?
Our customers are at the heart of everything UK Power Networks do and if our power network is impacted by this severe weather, our priority will be on restoring electricity to customers as quickly and safely as possible. To enable this we have mobilised additional office and field staff to take calls and fix power lines. We invest in a partnership arrangement with the British Red Cross and can activate their volunteers to support vulnerable customers if power is affected.
In communication with customers, we urge the public to stay well clear from power lines and anyone spotting a damaged power line needs to report it to UK Power Networks.
Contacting UK Power Networks
To report any power cuts and damaged lines on free helplines, please refer customers to the following numbers: In the South East call 0800 783 8866, in the East of England call 0800 783 8838 and in London call 0800 028 0247. You can also see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and follow the company on twitter for updates @ukpowernetworks .
Preparing for a power cut
Below is some advice on how our customers can prepare for a power cut:
- Keep our freephone number handy
- See the website for some useful videos offering you advice during a power cut.
- Keep spare batteries for radios and torches – local radio stations often broadcast helpful information
- Keep an old-fashioned corded phone which you can plug in, as cordless phones won’t work in the event of a power cut
- Take care if using candles, tea-lights and other naked flames
- Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours
- Switch off all your electrical equipment, except one light which will let you know when the power comes back on
- Remember the street lights may also be off so take care if you go out
- Exercise caution in localised flooded areas -specific advice is available on the Environment Agency website.
- Look out for elderly neighbours and other vulnerable people
