Storm Eunice struck in February 2022, when the UK experienced record-breaking wind gusts in excess of 120mph, according to Surrey County Council's record of past incidents in the county1. The council reports that the storm led to widespread power outages, difficult driving conditions and interruption to water supply in various parts of Surrey1.
Partners from Surrey's Local Resilience Forum, led by Surrey County Council's Emergency Management and Resilience Team, formed co-ordinating groups to respond to and resolve the issues caused by the storm1. Welfare services were provided by partners across the resilience forum to assist those affected, while services and utilities were restored1.
The council's account does not give a breakdown of how many properties lost power in Surrey, how long supplies were off, or which areas of the county were worst affected. Those figures have not been reported in the material published by the council1.
"The UK experienced record-breaking wind gusts in excess of 120mph leading to widespread power outages, difficult driving conditions and interruption to water supply in various parts of Surrey."
The same council record describes other utility failures in Surrey in recent years, which show the pattern of disruption households have faced. In November 2024, Thames Water notified the council that 665 properties were experiencing water supply interruption due to multiple burst mains in the Tatsfield area, which subsequently affected levels at the Betsoms Hill reservoir; a bottled water station was set up locally and a local school and child care facilities were supported1. In August 2022, up to 9,000 properties were affected when the Netley Mills water treatment site went out of service during a period when the Met Office was issuing Amber Warnings for extreme heat; bottled water was delivered by the Surrey 4x4 Team to vulnerable customers and Thames Water established a bottled water station1. In May 2018, around 1,800 addresses in Merstham were affected by a water outage lasting over 24 hours1. In December 2016, a flooded gas main caused a gas outage in the Bramley area affecting around 650 properties1.
| Incident | Date | Reported impact |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Eunice | February 2022 | Gusts in excess of 120mph; widespread power outages, difficult driving conditions and water supply interruption in various parts of Surrey1 |
| Netley Mills water treatment site out of service | August 2022 | Up to 9,000 properties affected during Amber heat warnings1 |
| Tatsfield burst mains | November 2024 | 665 properties with water supply interruption1 |
| Merstham water outage | May 2018 | Around 1,800 addresses, lasting over 24 hours1 |
| Bramley gas outage | December 2016 | Around 650 properties1 |
Why it matters for households
Storm Eunice shows how a single period of extreme wind can take out power, disrupt driving conditions and interrupt water supply across a county at the same time1. Households that depend on electricity for heating, cooking, communications or medical equipment, and those on a mains water supply, are affected together when networks fail. The council's record notes that welfare services were provided across the resilience forum while services and utilities were restored, and that in later water incidents bottled water was delivered to vulnerable customers and bottled water stations were established1. The council's page does not set out specific advice to households for storms; its account is a record of the response1. Practical background on how storms affect overhead lines and substations, and on planning for an outage at home, is set out in the guide on storms and the electricity network and the household emergency plan checklist for outages.
What happens next
No further steps or timetable following Storm Eunice are given in the council's record1.
Sources (1)
- Past incidents in Surrey - Surrey County Council, surreycc.gov.uk
Storms and the Electricity Grid
Why the Electricity Goes Off
