Sunday, December 29, 2013

Most storm-hit homes get power back

Most storm-hit homes 'to get power back on Sunday'

Man working to restore electricity Work is continuing to restore power to some 600 storm-hit properties

Most UK properties still cut off from electricity following the Christmas storms will be reconnected by the end of Sunday, power firms have said.

The number of properties without power has now fallen to about 600, the Energy Networks Association said.

Electricity North West in Cumbria, UK Power Networks in south-east England and Scottish Power Networks in Wales said almost all were being reconnected.

It comes as forecasters warn of a fresh bout of heavy rain and wind on Monday.

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The Met Office has issued a yellow alert, meaning be aware, for south-west England, Wales and Scotland - with gales of up to 80mph expected in parts.

"With ground already saturated over much of this region, the public should be aware of the risk of further local flooding," the Met Office said.

Prime Minister David Cameron has urged councils to draw up "robust plans in case of bad weather and flooding over New Year".

Flooding in Apperley, Gloucestershire following the Christmas storms which swept Britain The Environment Agency has warned residents in southern and south-west England of a "continued heightened flood risk" ahead of Monday's rain
Shapwick flooded by the Stour The village of Shapwick in Dorset is still dealing with the aftermath of the Christmas storms
A woman carries dripping carpet from her home in Yalding, Kent, after it was flooded during the recent bad weather A woman carries a dripping carpet from her home in Yalding, Kent, on Saturday - after it was flooded in the recent bad weather

The Energy Networks Association, which represents the operators of power networks, tweeted that engineers had restored power to all but 600 properties who had lost electricity during the storm.

UK Power Networks said in a statement that 169 customers in Kent were still without power, along with 112 in Sussex and 22 in Surrey.

But it added: "We believe it will take until the end of today to restore power supplies to the final single premises affected in these areas, though progress is being made all the time and we believe many will be on sooner."

Scottish Power Networks said it hoped to restore power to about 100 remaining storm-hit properties in north Wales on Sunday.

And Electricity North West said its last 70 customers in Cumbria would be reconnected.

Southern Electric meanwhile said on Sunday that teams had already restored electricity to all customers affected by the Christmas storms.

Has your electricity supply been affected by the Christmas Eve storm? What is your reaction to the offer of increased compensation? Send us your experiences using the form below.

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