Northern Powergrid has sent an email to customers in England, advising them to stock up on essential items such as torches, batteries, and a fully charged mobile phone on Wednesday. The company, which operates the electricity network in northern England, issued the warning on Tuesday afternoon due to the anticipated hot weather.
Met Office Issues Red and Amber Weather Warnings
The Met Office has declared a red weather warning for extreme heat covering parts of England on Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, an amber warning for heat will be in place in parts of northern England until just before Friday morning.
In its email, Northern Powergrid stated: "You may have seen that the Met Office have issued an extreme heat warning for large parts of the UK. The high temperatures could affect the electricity network and may cause power cuts, but don't worry, our teams are here to support you."
Network Operating Normally, but Preparation Advised
The company reassured customers that the electricity network is currently operating as normal, and teams are closely monitoring the weather. "Our teams are ready and prepared to respond if anything does happen. Although hot weather rarely causes disruption, there is still a small risk of unexpected power cuts. We recommend being prepared, just in case," the email added.
Specific Recommendations for Households
Northern Powergrid provided a list of recommendations for households to prepare for potential power outages:
- Ensure you have a fully charged mobile phone, with a power bank available if possible.
- Keep a torch and batteries to hand.
- If you have medical equipment that uses electricity, make sure you have a plan in case the power goes off. Speak to your medical provider for advice.
- Have some food and drink available that doesn't require electricity to heat or prepare it.
- A battery-powered fan can help keep you cool.
- Stay hydrated.
The company also advised following up-to-date weather information on the Met Office website.
