Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is moving to Yellow Alert status ahead of Storm Ciarán. The storm is due to hit central southern England – including the Isle of Wight – overnight tonight (Wednesday) and continue into Thursday, leading to several hours of strong winds, heavy rain and a risk of localised flooding. SSEN would like to reassure its customers that it is well prepared for this period of bad weather. The decision to move to Yellow Alert status comes as a result of the increasing certainty about the storm’s duration and route, and the potential it has to cause damage to the electricity network. SSEN has been monitoring this weather system for several days, and is now activating its well-rehearsed contingency plans, bringing in additional teams to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults, which may impact customers’ power supplies. These additional teams will respond to faults and carry out repairs quickly and safely. Teams answering customers’ queries over the phone are being bolstered, and SSEN is already calling its most vulnerable customers to offer them help and advice. Customers are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:
- Saving the emergency power cut number – ‘105‘ – to your phone to report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network
- Visiting SSEN’s Power Track Website 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 deal with a power cut, or to chat live to one of SSEN’s advisors via its Webchat service
Customers are also eligible for SSEN’s Priority Services Register (PSR) 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.
To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259. If you see any damage to SSEN’s power equipment, keep your distance. Do not touch it and instead report it to SSEN directly by calling 105, or via the Power Track App, and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.
