Storms Austen and Boelo cause power cuts in central southern England

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) reported on Sunday 25 October 2026 that its engineers had restored supplies to more than 59,680 customers across its central southern England network since the first named storms of the year. As of 7pm that day, 139 customers affected by Storm Austen were still awaiting restoration, and a further 2,325 customers had been affected since 6pm on Saturday by high winds from Storm Boelo¹.

SSEN said it expected almost all of the 139 customers still off supply after Storm Austen to be back on supply that night. Its increased teams of engineers were working in challenging conditions to repair damaged infrastructure and reconnect homes and businesses, with fallen trees among the problems facing them¹. The company said it had contacted more than 490,000 customers by text and through direct calls to customers on its Priority Services Register since the start of Storm Austen¹.

SSEN said customers can track faults and restoration times on its Power Track map, and asked anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105 or through the Power Track website¹. It encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 and to follow its Facebook page (ssencommunity) for updates¹.

The company listed the groups eligible for its Priority Services Register: customers who are deaf or hard of hearing, have a disability, live with children under five, are blind or partially sighted, have a chronic illness, use medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity, or are over 60. It said all its priority services are free, and gave 0800 294 3259 as the number for finding out more¹.

Why it matters for households

The figures cover SSEN's central southern England network only, and no restoration estimate has been reported for the 2,325 customers affected by Storm Boelo since 6pm on Saturday. Households on the Priority Services Register can expect direct contact from SSEN during disruption; the company says it contacted more than 490,000 customers by text and direct calls during Storm Austen¹. SSEN advises customers to save the number 105 to report a loss of supply or damage to the network, and to stay back from any damaged equipment and report it rather than touch it¹. The company points customers to its Power Track map for details of power cuts and restoration times, and to its "Preparing for a power cut" pages for advice¹.

What happens next

SSEN said it expected almost all of the 139 customers still affected by Storm Austen to be back on supply on the evening of Sunday 25 October¹. No further restoration times have been reported for customers affected by Storm Boelo.

Households can read more on how long until the electricity comes back, on storms and the electricity network, on why the electricity goes off and in the power cuts household guide. The Priority Services Register guide sets out who can join and what it gives.