National Grid puts extra teams on standby ahead of Storm Goretti

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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National Grid Electricity Distribution has urged customers in south Wales to prepare for Storm Goretti which is forecast to bring snow, heavy rain and strong winds to the region.

The company said that while the electricity network is designed to be resilient, extreme weather conditions can affect power supplies.

High winds can damage equipment, while cold temperatures can cause ice to form on overhead lines, adding weight and increasing the risk of faults.

National Grid Electricity Distribution said it has extra teams on standby and will operate its control centre around the clock to respond quickly to any impacts caused by the storm.

Roisin Quinn, Field Operations Director at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: “Our electricity network is built to be resilient, and we prepare year-round to ensure our teams are ready to respond quickly to any damage caused by Storm Goretti.

“We understand how worrying severe weather can be. That’s why our engineers, contact centre staff, and welfare teams are ready to support you, whatever the storm brings.

“Our control centre will be operating 24/7 to manage supplies and coordinate rapid response if power lines are affected.

“We’ve increased staffing across our engineering and customer contact teams to ensure we can respond swiftly and keep you informed.

“If you experience a power cut, call 105. It’s free and connects you to our team who will do everything we can to restore your power safely and swiftly.”

National Grid Electricity Distribution has also issued a power cuts checklist, advising customers to take simple steps to prepare in case of disruption.

Power cuts checklist

Keep the free electricity emergency number handy – call 105 to report a power cut, 24 hours a day.

Prepare your home – have a torch and a fully charged mobile phone ready, keep an external battery pack available to recharge devices. A wind-up, solar or battery-powered radio will help you stay updated. Protect sensitive equipment with a surge protector and keep non-perishable food on hand.