ENW reconnects 16,000 properties after severe weather

Electricity distribution network operator Electricity North West (ENW) has restored power to 16,000 homes after severe weather cut power across its network yesterday.

Teams of engineers from the DNO worked in “difficult conditions” to restore 4,000 properties overnight, but around 500 properties were still without power as of early this morning.

ENW said most homes were connected “within a few hours” of them initially losing power.

Yesterday the Met Office issued a yellow warning for wind and rain. Power was cut primarily by falling trees hitting power lines, with flooding making access difficult for repair teams.

A number of faults remain on the system, particularly in Cumbria. Kirkby Stephen still has 58 homes without power, down from 681, and Holmrook near Millom has 140.

ENW said its engineers would be able to “do more” as the light improves today.

ENW’s operations director Mark Williamson said: “It’s been a very busy night for our teams across the region and the weather is still bad, particularly in more rural areas.

“We were well prepared following the Met Office weather warning issued yesterday with additional engineers on standby and additional contact centre staff called in to help keep customers up to date with our progress.”

The region’s power network operator has restored supplies to around 12,000 properties throughout the evening following the Met Office’s yellow warning for wind and rain issued earlier today.

Around 2,500 properties remain without power as fallen trees have hit lines and flooding has made access difficult for repair teams. Properties are affected across the North West, from Manchester to the Lake District, including 747 properties currently without power in Ormskirk and 681 in Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria.