Archived News - Weather
UK Power Networks: Preparation for possible severe weather event
Today is a normal day across the electricity networks with no widespread power cuts due to the weather. However, UK Power Networks is working closely with the Met Office to track the strong winds that are forecast to hit the UK tomorrow, Thursday. These strong winds are due to affect the Eastern and Southern areas of our network overnight Thursday 11th December and early Friday 12th December.
If the storm materialises and affects power supplies, our paramount focus will be on restoring electricity to customers as quickly and safely as possible.
We are currently monitoring the weather closely and are in regular contact with the Met Office as the forecast develops. Click here for the latest forecast from the Met Office.
Our electricity network is built to be resilient but extreme weather can affect overhead power lines. Our emergency plans have been put in to place, with hundreds of extra engineers and other staff on duty to deal with situations as and when they arise.
As always our priorities in these situations are public safety and restoring supplies to customers as quickly and safely as possible.
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.
For any power cut enquiries please contact us 24 hours a day by:
- Calling 0800 31 63 105 or 0333 32 32 105 if calling from a mobile.
- Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest update
- Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in your postcode to our live power cut map
- Follow us on twitter for updates @ukpowernetworks
- Like our Facebook page and see updates here
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
- Dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed
- 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
- Look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them round a flask of hot water or hot food
Source: UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks: Severe Weather Preparations
Yesterday, as forecast, the UK was hit by the latest wave of severe weather. Heavy winds and rain have resulted in disruption of power supplies across several parts of the country.
Wind speeds within UK Power Networks' region, while still severe, were not as extreme as in other parts of the country. The weather did have an impact on our network, but the preparations that we put in place over the last days meant that we have been able to cope with the resultant level of faults and customer calls.
Weather Forecast
Met Office forecasts indicate that the period of severe weather will continue into the weekend hitting UK Power Networks' region tomorrow evening and on Saturday. We therefore continue to work closely with the Met Office to monitor the situation and continue to mobilise the resources in preparation for any future disruptions.
Currently, the weather forecast for UK Power Networks' region is as following:
- A weather warning has been issued for the south coast for the night of 14 February. Wind speeds of 75-80mph are forecast on the coastal parts of our South Eastern network and 65mph for inland areas.
- The Eastern network is forecast to be hit by winds of up to 70mph on Essex and Suffolk coasts, lowering to 50mph inland.
Public Safety
We would like to reiterate the dangers of coming into contact with downed power lines and urge the public to stay well clear. Anyone spotting a damaged power line needs to report it to UK Power Networks immediately.
To report any power cuts and damaged lines on free helplines, please refer to the following numbers:
In the South East call 0800 783 8866 or 01243 50 8866 for mobile users and in the East of England call 0800 783 8838 or 01243 50 8838 for mobile users.
How are we preparing?
When our power network is impacted by a storm, our priority is always on restoring electricity to customers as quickly and safely as possible.
The following measures have been taken as part of on-going preparations:
- We have mobilised over 400 overhead linesmen across our Eastern and South Eastern networks.
- Several contractor teams from our Eastern network are also being moved to support the South Eastern region
- Over 150 additional staff have been drafted to take inbound calls as have additional control engineers, dispatchers and schedulers
- Additional staff have been mobilised to input customer information regarding progress of jobs and estimated time of restoration
- Engineering teams from our London network have been called upon to assist with the connection of generators
In addition to the above, over 250 scouts and over 70 Customer Information Officers have been confirmed across the business. UK Power Networks' specially trained staff, known as Customer Champions, have also been put on stand-by.
How can you prepare?
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
- Dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed
- 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
- Look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them a flask of hot water round or hot food
We will continue to send you regular updates but please don't hesitate to check our website www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or follow us on twitter.
Source: UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks: Severe Weather Preparations
Over the past two months, Britain has been subjected to some severe weather. We have just had the wettest January in over 200 years and February has continued this trend. The Met Office now forecasts that more severe weather may hit our region this afternoon and persist throughout the rest of the week. UK Power Networks is therefore monitoring the weather extremely closely and maintaining its preparations in readiness for any impact on its network.
Weather Forecast
Today a National Severe Weather Warning has been issued across the whole of England and Wales for gale force winds.
For UK Power Networks' regions, the Met Office forecasts wind speeds of 45-55mph in our South East network on the night of 12 February. There may also be gusts of up to 70mph on the coast. These winds are expected to move up to the more exposed areas of our Eastern network with gusts up to 60mph being predicted. The storm is expected to die down in the early hours of the morning of 13 February.
A band of heavy rain is also forecast for the afternoon of 12 February, moving eastwards across our networks, with up to 10mm of rainfall predicted. This will give way to more showery conditions by the evening.
Further severe weather is then forecast on the morning of 14 February, continuing through to 15 February. Gale force winds and heavy rain are forecast on 15 February, with gusts of up to 75mph expected across our both our Eastern and South Eastern networks.
Preparations
We are in the process of securing extra resources, including linesmen and scouts, to be mobilised for both the Eastern and South Eastern network areas. Calls are being made throughout the business and our contractors to find these extra resources.
Later today a conference call between all DNOs will be taking place to discuss the possibility of providing staff to assist in repairing the most affected networks. However, if the storm materialises and is, as currently forecast, a national event, it is likely that the extent of assistance that other DNOs can provide will be limited.
UK Power Networks' specially trained staff, known as Customer Champions, have also been put on stand-by.
Contacting UK Power Networks
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.
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 or 01243 50 8866 for mobile users and in the East of England call 0800 783 8838 or 01243 50 8838 for mobile users. You can also see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and follow the company on Twitter for updates.
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
- Dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed
- 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
- Look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them a flask of hot water round or hot food
Source: UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks: Severe Weather Preparations
UK Power Networks would like to advise you that the predicted weather severity has been downgraded. Despite a more optimistic forecast, UK Power Networks continues to monitor the weather, working closely with the Met Office, and ensuring that adequate preparations are maintained in case the storm hits.
Weather Forecast
The Met Office forecast of wind speeds has lessened for our South East network on the night between 7 February and 8 February, with 50-55mph inland and 55-60mph on the coast. There is then an expected lull until further winds between 12pm and 3pm. From that point onwards, it will be breezy until the end of Sunday, 9 February.
Our Eastern network may experience some coastal gusts of 60mph but because the winds are heading from the south-west, the risk is significantly reduced.
Preparations
Extra resources, including linesmen, scouts and call centre staff, have been mobilised for both the Eastern and South Eastern network areas. UK Power Networks' specially trained staff, known as Customer Champions, have been put on stand-by. We are currently assessing the need for raising the number of jointers in case of higher than usual numbers of underground faults as a result of potentially heavy rainfall.
Contacting UK Power Networks
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.
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 or 01243 50 8866 for mobile users and in the East of England call 0800 783 8838 or 01243 50 8838 for mobile users. You can also see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and follow the company on twitter for updates.
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
- Dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed
- 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
- Look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them a flask of hot water round or hot food
Source: UK Power Networks
We're ready for storm forecast - are you?
Emergency response partners on the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum met this afternoon to ensure they are ready to activate their plans ahead of anticipated severe weather on Sunday evening/Monday morning.
Currently the Met Office has an amber alert in place for the county predicting winds of 60-80mph, resulting in possible dangerous driving conditions, widespread tree and minor structural damage, risk of injury from flying debris and the potential for localised interruption to power supplies.
There is also a yellow flood warning in place advising that persistent heavy rain could cause surface water flooding.
Bedfordshire Police Chief Supt Mike Colbourne, Chair of BLLRF, said: "While there is no need for any undue alarm, the forecast is currently for winds of a strength that we have not seen in this part of the country for more than 20 years. With the trees still in leaf and the ground soft after recent rain, there is certainly the potential for some tree and structural damage, and disruption to travel particularly on Monday morning.
"There are number of straightforward steps that residents and businesses can take now to make sure they are as prepared as possible and I would urge them to do so.
"Partners will continue to monitor the latest forecasts over the weekend and, if the situation develops, can activate a multi-agency response including organisations such as the Environment Agency, Highways Agency and the utility companies.
Before a storm, secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them.
Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages.
Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.
Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30 degrees.
If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them.
During a storm, stay indoors as much as possible. If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees.
Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences — if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side. Do not go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress.
If possible, enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you. Open internal doors only as needed, and close them behind you.
Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary. Delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible.
If your journey is essential, take particular care when driving on exposed routes such as bridges or high open roads. Slow down and be aware of side winds, particular care should be taken if you are towing or are a high-sided vehicle.
After a storm, be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging, and do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened.
Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs.
Further advice for strong gales, heavy rain and flooding plus useful links including how to prepare an emergency home kit are available via the resilience forum's website www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk.
The website also features advice for businesses on preparing a business continuity plan, including a ten-minute health check.
Source: Ringmaster Bedfordshire