Storm Lilian causes power cuts across Northern Powergrid network

Storm Lilian brought strong winds across Northern Powergrid's region from 5am on 23 August 2024, causing power cuts that affected more than 72,000 customers, the network operator said. By the end of that day it reported that over 68,000 supplies had been restored and around 3,000 customers remained without power¹.

The operator's updates through the day gave changing figures as the storm passed. An early statement said over 63,418 customers had been affected so far, with West Yorkshire the worst affected area, and that over 27,000 had already been reconnected². A later update put the total at over 73,000, with North Yorkshire most impacted and 11,741 customers still off supply³. The end of day statement gave over 72,000 affected, over 68,000 restored and a final 3,000 still without power¹. The figures were issued at different times as the situation developed and do not reconcile exactly.

Northern Powergrid said there were no further Met Office weather warnings in place and that the weather period had passed across its regions³. It sent additional resources from its North East area to support teams in North Yorkshire³. On 24 August the operator said it had restored power to over 71,000 customers, with 600 remaining, and that some faults were taking longer than anticipated to locate and fix because of the nature of the damage⁴. Later that day it said all 72,000 customers affected had been restored⁵.

Why it matters for households

The affected areas were the North East and Yorkshire, with West Yorkshire named as the worst affected area in the early statement² and North Yorkshire as the most impacted area later in the day³. Supplies were restored in stages: over 68,000 by the end of 23 August¹, over 71,000 with 600 remaining on 24 August⁴, and all 72,000 by the end of that day⁵.

Northern Powergrid said its welfare support teams remained mobilised for customers still without power, with customer support vehicles deployed and food vans available¹. Its support vehicles carried Northern Powergrid branding and offered hot drinks and phone charging points³. The operator asked anyone who knows someone who needs extra help to get in touch on 105¹, and encouraged anyone with neighbours or relatives who may be in a vulnerable position to call 105 so they could receive additional support³.

Customers on the operator's Priority Services Membership were told they would receive extra help and be kept in touch with about the likely time their power would return, by text message or by call to a landline, at any time of day or night. The dedicated priority service line was 0800 169 2996³. Households can read about extra help from network operators during long outages and the Priority Services Register.

Northern Powergrid asked customers affected by a power cut who had not heard from it to call 105 or report online, or by WhatsApp on 0191 687 22 54, available 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday¹. It also said that anyone spotting fallen trees on power lines or poles, or damaged cables, should stay well clear and call 105 immediately¹. Its online power cut map was updated in real time with estimated restoration times³. Our guides explain how to report a loss of electricity on 105 and how long restoration can take.

What happens next

Northern Powergrid said it would continue to keep customers still affected updated by text message and on its website¹. No further detail on the cause of individual faults, or on compensation, has been reported.

For background on how storms affect overhead lines and what households can prepare, see storms and the electricity network and why the electricity goes off.