Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is preparing for Storm Alex and a period of unsettled weather throughout its central southern England from the early hours of Friday morning (2 October), and throughout the weekend.

SSEN's current weather model shows heavy rainfall and wind speeds of up to 45mph across southern England.

To avoid disruption to our customers, SSEN has continued with planned work commitments today, and our engineers and field staff are safely continuing their work in these weather conditions.

In preparation, SSEN has enacted its resilience plans, increasing its standby resources in anticipation of potential damage to its network. Its teams are proactively contacting customers on its Priority Services Register to offer extra assistance where required and are liaising with local resilience partners to help coordinate efforts to prepare for potential supply interruptions.

SSEN is also urging people to not approach any damage to its equipment and instead, report it to SSEN by calling 105 or via its Power Track App and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.

Customers are being encouraged to be prepared by:

  • Saving the emergency power cut number - 105 - to your phone to report any loss of supply or 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 deal with a power cut, or to chat live to one of SSEN's advisors via its Webchat service
  • Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates

Customers are also eligible for free, additional support from 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.