National Grid urges customers to prepare for Storm Isha

As Storm Isha approaches South Wales, National Grid Electricity Distribution is urging its customers to be ready in case of power cuts.

Forecasters say strong winds and heavy rain are due on Sunday bringing the possibility of power outages and other disruption.

A power cut checklist has been issued by National Grid so its 1.2 million customers in South Wales can prepare for the storm.

The company recommends:

• Keeping the free electricity emergency number handy – call 105 to report a power cut, 24 hours a day.
• Preparing your home – have a torch, mobile phone and an analogue land line phone ready (cordless or digital phones may not work in a power cut). Also have an external battery charging pack available so you can charge smart phones or tablets. A wind-up, solar or battery-powered radio will enable you to listen to local updates. Protect sensitive and valuable electrical equipment with a surge protector.
• Keeping an eye out – monitor weather forecasts and if there’s a power cut check if neighbours need help.
• Get extra support – vulnerable households can get extra support by signing up to National Grid’s Priority Services Register. It’s a free service for anyone who is elderly, disabled, has children under 5 years old or relies on powered medical equipment. As part of the service, customers are kept informed as much as possible of power cuts affecting their home and are given special help, if needed, through the British Red Cross.

Jocelyn McConnachie, Director of Customer Excellence, said: “Our engineers are ready to repair any damage that Storm Isha causes, while our control centre will be working 24/7 to manage supplies and our contact centre staff will be available round the clock to answer customers’ calls.

“Overall the network is very reliable and we have been preparing for winter by carrying out repairs and maintenance ahead of time, including vegetation trimming to protect overhead lines from fallen trees and using helicopters with sophisticated camera technology to assess pylons, poles and cables.

“Anyone who experiences a power cut, should call us on 105 and we’ll do all we can to get the lights back on as soon as possible. We also encourage customers with extra needs to sign-up to our free Priority Services Register so they can receive additional support during a power cut.”