Northern Powergrid working to reconnect customers after Storm Gertrude knocks out power to 25,000 homes

The storm saw winds of up to 79mph across parts of the electricity distribution company’s operating area causing damage to its overhead network in Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and North Yorkshire.

Rod Gardner, Head of Network Operations, said: “Our engineers and linesmen have worked extremely hard in very challenging conditions to successfully restore power to the vast majority of homes and businesses yesterday and we will continue today to get the remaining customers back on supply.

"A small number of customers, predominantly in Northumberland, whose power supplies were disrupted on Friday are still off due to the extent of damage to the power lines which supply their area and increased winds speeds making it unsafe for our linesmen to climb last night and carry out repairs.

"We are expecting that that our final customers will all be back on this afternoon.

“We’re in touch with those customers who are still without power and providing support where required. This includes sending our customer support vehicle and customer support advisor to help those who have been off supply overnight.”

Northern Powergrid has deployed its helicopter this morning to carry out inspections and provide intelligence of any other damage which may have been caused by Storm Gertrude to its overhead network.

The electricity distribution company is continuing to closely monitor the weather forecast over the coming days.

Northern Powergrid is also reminding anyone who spots any damaged cables or other equipment not to approach the area, but to contact the company immediately on its 24 hour power cut enquiry numbers:

0800 66 88 77 in the North East

0800 375 675 in Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire