Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is issuing a weather warning for customers across central southern England as Storm Francis is expected to bring strong winds, potentially heavy rainfall and infrequent lightning this week.
Current forecasts show westerly wind speeds in excess of 50mph on the coast and 40mph inland from Tuesday afternoon, with heavy rainfall expected throughout the day. This period of unsettled weather is expected to continue throughout Wednesday.
In response to Storm Francis, SSEN has enacted its well-established resilience plans and ensuring its teams are resourced to respond to any disruption, with engineers ready to work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
In anticipation of Storm Francis, customers are being encouraged to prepare 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; and
- Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.
SSEN is urging people not to approach any damage to its equipment and instead, report it to SSEN by calling 105 or via the Power Track App.
SSEN would like to remind customers of the additional, free support they might qualify for, from SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR). Customers are eligible 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.