Northern Powergrid restores power to all Storm Babet customers

Northern Powergrid, the distribution network operator for the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has restored power to all 55,000 customers affected by Storm Babet, the company said in a statement dated 21 October 2023¹. Storm Babet was declared a named storm on Monday 16 October and brought high winds, heavy rain and a heightened flood risk across the company's operating region¹.

The figures moved during the event. On 20 October the company said just over 40,000 customers had been affected by a power cut so far, with approximately 75% already back on supply, and that forecasts suggested the impact could continue into Saturday morning². A statement dated 21 October put the total at over 55,000 customers across the North East, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, with 97% restored and about 2,200 still off supply, expected back on that day³. The same date carries the company's confirmation that all 55,000 had been restored¹. The company says it powers 8 million people across 3.9 million homes and businesses¹.

During the response, Northern Powergrid says it took 5,400 calls into its contact centre and proactively contacted more than 2,000 customers on its Priority Services Membership (PSM), providing additional support and welfare provision where needed¹. On 20 October it said customer support vehicles were being sent to the areas most affected to offer hot drinks, charging stations and other essentials, and that PSM customers would receive extra help and be kept in touch with about when their power was likely to return². The company gave a dedicated priority service line as 0800 169 2996, and said people could sign up to the PSM online or by calling 105².

Why it matters for households

The disruption was concentrated in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, and the company's statements cover the period from 19 October, when heavy rain and wind began, into Saturday 21 October². For households on the Priority Services Membership, the company says it contacts customers who may need extra support during a power cut by phone, text and email, and that it kept in touch with the time power was likely to be back on¹. The company encouraged anyone who knows neighbours or relatives who may be in a vulnerable position to register them for the PSM online or by calling 105². Households can read more on how long until the electricity comes back, on storms and the electricity network and in the power cuts guide; the Priority Services Register guide sets out who can join and what it gives.

What happens next

The company said it would continue to keep customers still affected updated by text message, on its website and on social media, and that it anticipated the final 2,200 customers would be back on supply on 21 October³. No further dated steps have been reported.