More than 130,000 properties reconnected after Storm Ciaran

Network operators have reconnected more than 135,000 properties after Storm Ciaran tore through the south of the country.

Figures released by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) reveal that around 147,000 properties experienced some form of power cut during the storm which recorded winds of up to 104mph.

Of those, around 135,700 have been reconnected with 11,300 properties still without power (as of 5pm on Thursday 2 November).

An ENA spokesperson added: “By working together, so far today network operators have reconnected 92% of customers in very challenging weather conditions.

“While difficult conditions remain, with violent winds forecast until the end of the day, teams from across the country are working together to continue to reconnect customers where it is safe to do so.”

The main areas affected are covered by UK Power Networks (UKPN), National Grid and Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

Teams from Scotland and the Isle of Man have travelled to the south of England to support reconnections.

UKPN, which covers the south east of the country, said it had restored supplies to almost 47,000 properties (as of 3pm on 2 November).

SSEN said that 27,000 of its customers had been affected with all but 2,000 reconnected as of 3pm. And National Grid said that around 9,000 properties have experienced power cuts with Cornwall the worst affected area that it covers.

A spokesperson for SSEN said that it “expects there will be more network faults” in the coming hours: “Flooding in certain areas is having an impact on the ability of engineers to access faults.

“SSEN’s teams are working quickly and safely to restore power to customers by rerouting supplies and repairing damage. This rapid and robust response is being aided by the extra teams which have been brought in, including those from our north of Scotland distribution area and contractor partners.”

An ENA spokesperson added that thousands of customers on the Priority Services Register have been contacted to make them aware of the Met Office warnings and provide advice on what to do if they have a power cut.

As a result of the power cuts, South East Water announced that an undisclosed number of its customers were receiving intermittent water supplies.

A spokesperson for the water company said: “As soon as we’re alerted to a supply issue we are responding as quickly as possible to get taps flowing again.

“We are continuing to liaise closely with the power distribution networks regarding the situation.

“Our key sites continue to operate on generators to ensure we can keep treating and pumping water to the majority of properties, maintaining supplies to as many as possible in the event of a power cut.

“This remains a very changeable situation as the storm passes through and our incident team continues to meet regularly.”

Surfers Against Sewage meanwhile has recorded spills at combined sewer overflows at seven beaches along the Kent coast, including in Herne Bay, Folkestone and on the Isle of Sheppey.