Teams from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are preparing to respond to lightning storms that have the potential to strike central southern England from 18:00 tonight (Tuesday) until around 02:00 on Wednesday 18 July.
The current SSEN weather model shows forecast lightning activity peaking around 01:00 on Wednesday morning, with the south west area of our patch being likely to see the most activity.
As lightning raises the possibility of some interruptions to power supplies, SSEN is asking customers to be prepared for potential disruption to supplies and planned jobs.
SSEN is ensuring that preparations and resources are in place to deal with any issues that may affect its network.
SSEN's Director of Customer Operations, Craig Gilroy, said: "As with all weather events, we are well prepared with additional frontline and support staff on standby to handle any damage to our network and to get power restored to our customers as quickly and safely as possible. We will also have extra telephony staff available to ensure that any customers calling in about a power cut or to report damage to our equipment will have their call answered as quickly as possible."
"The unpredictable nature of lightning means that our engineers will not be able to climb poles or conduct repairs until it is safe for them to do it. So if our customers do experience a fault, we hope they can remain patient, safe in the knowledge we are doing everything we can to restore their supplies."
"If any of our customers do come across any damage to our equipment, we ask that they don't approach it as it may still be live. Instead, call us on the single emergency number 105 and we'll get our engineers out to investigate as soon as possible."
Customers are encouraged to be prepared in the event of possible disruption to power supplies, by:
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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.
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Downloading SSEN's Power Track app to give you details of power cuts and restoration times.
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Going to SSEN's website where there is a wealth of advice and information on how to prepare for a possible loss of power.
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:
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Are dependent on electricity for home medical care
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Have a chronic illness or short term medical condition
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Are disabled
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Have special communication needs
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Have a young baby or receive a state pension.
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To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259.