Storm Darragh leaves North Norfolk residents without power for several days

A study of mobile network coverage in Norfolk has identified villages in the north of the county as among the worst served for phone signal, and has linked the finding to Storm Darragh, which left North Norfolk residents without power for several days¹. The study was conducted by Streetwave as part of a Norfolk County Council led project, and was reported by Community Action Norfolk on 3 February 2025¹.

The study mapped network coverage across the county, identifying mobile signal "notspots", described as places with little or no mobile or Wi-Fi coverage¹. The data was collected using devices attached to bin lorries¹. It pinpointed villages such as Happisburgh, Horning and Gunthorpe in North Norfolk as some of the worst affected, while areas around Norwich and King's Lynn were found to have the best mobile signal in the county, with coverage provided by networks including EE, Three, Vodafone and O2¹.

During Storm Darragh, the report says, the loss of power meant many residents were not only coping with cold, dark homes but were also unable to communicate with loved ones or seek assistance due to unreliable phone signal¹. It states that vulnerable residents may find themselves unable to call for help in emergencies, and that poor connectivity can leave people feeling isolated and cut off from vital services, friends and family¹.

Why it matters for households

The report describes poor mobile coverage as a practical risk in rural North Norfolk, particularly where power loss and weak signal occur together. It states that vulnerable residents may be unable to call for help in emergencies, and that residents in affected villages struggle with connectivity as a daily inconvenience as well as during incidents¹. It adds that voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations serving these communities often have to adapt how they provide services to work around connectivity problems¹. The report calls for investment from mobile network operators to match the county's mapping work, and says improving mobile signal in rural Norfolk has become more critical with more severe weather events likely in the future and increasing reliance on digital communication¹. No specific advice to households is given in the report.

What happens next

The report says initiatives such as Norfolk County Council's project with Streetwave are "a step in the right direction" but need to be matched with investment from mobile network operators¹. No timetable for further coverage work or for network improvements has been reported¹.

Households can read more on storms and the electricity network and on reporting a loss of electricity by ringing 105, or see the Storm Darragh 2024 impacts and lessons page.