** SSEN has also moved to Yellow Alert in anticipation of Storm Ciara bringing high winds, hail and lightning across the north of Scotland this weekend **

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) remains on Yellow Alert for its central southern England region in advance of Storm Ciara, which has the potential to impact the electricity network on Sunday 9 February.

Current forecasts show storm-force winds are expected to build during Sunday with inland wind speeds of between 65-75mph, with coastal gusts in excess of 75mph. The peak winds are expected during Sunday afternoon and early evening before easing overnight. This period of unsettled weather, which will be accompanied by heavy rain, is expected to continue into the early part of next week.

SSEN has enacted its well-established resilience plans, increasing standby resources in anticipation of potential damage to the network, and moving teams and equipment to the areas expected to be impacted. SSEN will have over 600 operational team members on duty over the period.

In advance of the weather arriving, over 600,000 customers on SSEN's Priority Services Register have been proactively contacted by text to inform them of the potential for disruption and to offer extra assistance where required. Customers in high PSR categories, including those who are medically dependent, have received further contact. SSEN's regional teams are also liaising with local resilience partners to help coordinate efforts to prepare for potential supply interruptions.

Stuart Hogarth, SSEN's Director of Customer Operations, said:

"We've been tracking this weather front for several days now and as a result have increased the amount of engineers and operational staff across our central southern England network area, ensuring we have people in place to restore power to our customers as soon as it's safe to do so.

"We'll continue to monitor the situation throughout the coming days and I would encourage anyone concerned about the potential disruption to supplies, particularly those who may need additional support during a power cut, to call us on 105."

Customers are also being encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to power supplies by:

  • Saving the free-to-dial 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

Customers can register for SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) if they require extra assistance. 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
  • Have a disability
  • 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.