PEOPLE still without power following Storm Arwen are being “strongly advised” to find somewhere else to stay, with more bad weather on the way this week.

Around 1,300 properties across the region are still without electricity, heating and hot water after the high winds affected power supplies to more than a million households in the North East, Yorkshire and Scotland ten days ago.

Northern Powergrid said all its teams are working hard to get customers back on power as quickly as it is safe to do so, and it expects all power to be restored by close of play tomorrow (Tuesday).

A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid said: “Although more adverse weather conditions are predicted, we are now hopeful that the work we have in front of us will be completed on Tuesday 7 December, provided that any additional damage that we find is not extensive.

“We continue to work hard to improve on that and will keep you updated.”

Read more: Met Office issues Yellow weather warning for region

However, with the Met Office warning that Storm Barra will hit the UK tomorrow, following on from yesterday and today's wet and windy weather, people are being urged to prepare.

Last night, Durham County Council urged residents who have been advised by Northern Powergrid that they could still be without power this week to ensure they have what they need and strongly advised those staying in their homes to consider alternative accommodation options.

John Hewitt, Chair of County Durham Durham and Darlington Local Resilience Forum’s Strategic Co-ordination Group and Chief Executive of Durham County Council, said: “We are continuing to work with residents in affected areas carrying out welfare checks and distributing food and support packs where necessary.

“However, we remain concerned for any residents who are still without power. The council is here to support residents and we would urge people who are still without power to get in touch if they have any further requirements or concerns.

“We will continue to work closely with partners to provide essential support to residents and will be targeting resources to those areas most in need.”

Representatives from Durham County Council, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham Constabulary, the Mountain Rescue Service, Northumbrian Water, Northern Powergrid and most recently, the military have been carrying out welfare checks on residents whose electricity supply was affected by the storm.

Partners are also distributing food and support packs, including essential items such as additional heaters and cooking equipment. Whilst many homes have had their power supply restored there are still properties which are still without power.

Firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service have been supporting partners carrying out additional welfare checks and providing advice and guidance to residents without power.

Additionally, fire stations have been supporting the storage and distribution of food and welfare packs around local areas.

Area Manager Keith Carruthers said: “County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service will continue to support our partners to check on those impacted by Storm Arwen for as long as our communities need our assistance.”

In addition, anyone who needs help to find accommodation or requires additional support can contact Durham County Council Customer Services on 03000-260000.

Anyone who needs help or is aware of an older or vulnerable person who needs help, can contact our customer services team on 03000-260000. This number is available 24 hours, with out of hours emergency support available through our Care Connect team.

To report a loss of power, visit northernpowergrid.com – a map showing updated information on current power cuts is available at northernpowergrid.com/storm-arwen.

If someone is without power and is vulnerable, call 105. Additional contact numbers are available for residents with a hearing or speech impairment. Full details are available at northernpowergrid.com/contact.

A list of community venues offering support can be found at durham.gov.uk/stormarwensupport

 

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