With high winds predicted on Tuesday 7 December, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is prepared for Storm Barra which could impact its electricity network in central southern England.
This short period of adverse weather is being forecast through SSEN's current weather model, with south-westerly gusts moving across the south from 10am on Tuesday morning, and reaching speeds of around 50mph inland and up to 65mph along the coast. The high winds are expected to last through to the early evening of Tuesday 7 December, before calming from 6pm onwards.
In preparation, SSEN has enacted its well-established resilience plans, increasing its available resources in anticipation of potential damage to its network. SSEN is urging people to not approach any damage to its equipment and, instead, to report it by calling 105 or via its Power Track App and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.
Customers are also being encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:
- Saving the emergency power cut number '105' to your phone to use if your power goes off, or if you see any damage to the electricity network
- Downloading SSEN's Power Track app to give you details of power cuts and restoration times. You can also report power cuts and network damage through the Power Track app
- Going to SSEN's website where there is a wealth of advice and information on how to prepare for a possible loss of power
- Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates
SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) provides extra help and support during a power cut. Customers are eligible for SSEN's free priority services if they:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have a disability
- Live with children under five
- Are blind or partially sighted
- Have a chronic illness
- Use medical equipment/aids reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
- Temporarily need extra support
To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259.