As the effect of Storm Caroline continues to track across the UK, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is preparing to respond to high winds predicted to impact on its southern network on Sunday 10 December.

The SSEN weather model for the weekend shows a twelve-hour window of high winds across its central southern England patch. Wind gusts of up to 45mph are expected inland from 6am on Sunday, with gusts of up to 60mph anticipated in the coastal areas of Portland and Isle of Wight from midday.

Winds of this speed have the potential to cause damage to the electricity network, so SSEN is asking its customers to be prepared for possible disruption to power supplies.

SSEN itself is well prepared for the weekend's high winds, as its Director of Customer Operations, Craig Gilroy, explains:

"We've been monitoring the progress of Storm Caroline and the effect it has had on our network in the north, so we have increased our resource plans in anticipation of adverse weather now moving across our network in the south.

 "Additional frontline teams, support staff, equipment and welfare facilities are all in place to assist any areas affected by the forecast winds and will enable SSEN to restore power to our customers as quickly and safely as possible.

"If any of our customers do experience a power cut, or have any concerns about a vulnerable family member or community member, I would encourage them to call us on the new national emergency number, 105."

SSEN is also advising customers not to approach any damage to its equipment and instead, report the damage by calling 105 so SSEN's engineers can investigate as soon as possible.

Customers are encouraged to be prepared in the event of possible disruption to power supplies, by:

  • Saving the new 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.
  • 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

In the event of an interruption in power supplies, SSEN's customer service team will make outbound calls to customers on our Priority Service Register (PSR) to offer extra assistance, where required. People can qualify for the PSR if they:

  • Are dependent on electricity for home medical care
  • Have a chronic illness or short term medical condition
  • Are disabled
  • Have special communication needs
  • Have children under the age of five
  • Are over the age of 60
  • To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259.