Experts share crucial power cut advice ahead of Storm Eunice

Disruption is once again expected in the North East this Friday (18 February) as Storm Eunice brings heavy snow and strong winds to the region.

This comes after weather experts Met Office forecasted snow for certain areas across the region today (February 17), as yesterday's Storm Dudley dissipates from the area.

Snow is headed for the North East according to the leading meteorologists, accompanied by further high speed winds which are in-turn expected to bring damage and disruptions as they come.

Go here for the very latest breaking news updates from across the North East

Around 20,000 homes were left without power with the Northern Powergrid working tirelessly to rectify the remaining outages in County Durham having returned energy to some 19,000.

So what should you do in the event of a power cut in your area? How can you be best prepared?

Lighting experts Lighting Superstore have shared their top tips on what you can do if you have a power cut, in order to help those affected stay safe and be prepared for when the storm hits.

Keep in contact -

As soon as you have a power cut, you must contact your network operator or energy supplier, which can be found online, to report the power cut. This keeps them informed about affected areas allowing them to respond as soon as possible.

Be sure to keep your mobile fully charged and keep a spare portable charger with you.

This helps you stay in contact with family or friends and informed of network updates

You can also keep informed by listening on a portable radio for further updates.

If you have any vulnerable or elderly relatives you may be worried about, create a list of emergency contact information for them beforehand.

You can also register them on the Priority Services Register, so they can receive priority and extra support if they’re in vulnerable circumstances.

Lighting -

Always keep several LED torches handy in case the power cut prolongs into the evening and night, and keep batteries plentiful.

Many people use candles during a power cut however, be sure to place them in a heat-resistant bowl or mat to prevent a fire if the candle is knocked over.

It is recommended to leave one light on, that way you’ll know if the power has been restored.

Electrical appliances -

Switch off all unattended electrical appliances, the Met Office also advises unplugging appliances, as lightning during storms can cause power surges.

A power cut should not cause any damage to your electrical appliances, however, it is recommended by the Energy Networks Association to switch all appliances off ready for when the power comes back on.

Important electrical appliances such as your fridge and freezer maintain their temperature for 8-12 hours without power, be sure to set your fridge on the coolest setting to keep your food cooler for longer and avoid throwing food away.

What to do if the power cut is prolonged -

In the unlikely event that the power cut could last considerable hours or even days, ensure you have warm clothes and a blanket to keep warm, keep a stock of non-perishable canned foods and avoid unnecessary travel.

You might be able to obtain compensation due to the power cut depending on the causation and how long it has lasted.

According to Citizens Advice, in a severe storm, you can get £70 if the power was off for 48 hours.

You can find detailed information about applying for compensation on the Ofgem website, here.

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