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Storm Eunice: 1,200 properties without power in Kent as compensation offered to residents

07:49, 21 February 2022

updated: 15:26, 22 February 2022

A total of 1,200 homes and businesses are still without power in Kent four days after Storm Eunice.

The county is the worst hit in the east of England as Storm Franklin now wreaks havoc with high winds battering the region once again.

Thousands of homes and businesses are without power in Kent. Picture: UK Power Networks
Thousands of homes and businesses are without power in Kent. Picture: UK Power Networks

Meanwhile, the boss of UK Power Networks has told residents left without power for more than 24 hours during Storm Eunice they will be entitled to compensation.

UK Power Networks says its teams have been working hard around the clock to safely restore power to 99% of the homes and businesses left without power because of Storm Eunice.

It was the biggest storm for more than a decade - in terms of the number of faults on the network - with power being interupted to 679,700 homes and businesses.

Basil Scarsella, CEO of UK Power Networks, said: "I appreciate what a difficult time this is, for our many customers who have experienced a power cut caused by Storm Eunice which saw record wind speeds and damage across the South East and East of England.

"While we work hard to get everybody back on supply, we have decided to make goodwill payments to our customers who were worst affected by power cuts caused by Storm Eunice and have been without power for 24 hours.

"We recognise that being without power for this extended period affects your daily life so we have decided to make an extra £50 payment, earlier than payments would normally apply which would be after 48 hours.

He continued: "This means that if you were impacted by Storm Eunice you will be eligible to receive £50 after 24 hours without electricity, an additional £70 when you reach 48 hours, and an additional £70 thereafter for every 12 hours without power.

"There is no need for you to call us – we’ll contact everyone who is entitled to a payment by text message, email or letter in the coming days. If you prefer you can fill in our online claim form.

"I hope you and your families are safe and well. Please rest assured it’s our top priority to get your power back on as quickly as we can."

Storm Eunice caused significant damage across Kent. Picture: Roger Matthews
Storm Eunice caused significant damage across Kent. Picture: Roger Matthews

As of 3pm on Tuesday there were still 1,200 properties in Kent without power, and 2,700 across the wider south east region.

People have been warned to treat damaged electricity cables as live, stay away and call UK Power Networks immediately on 105.

If you see lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public call 999.

You can find specific details for your postcode on this live map.

People have been been urged not to travel today as Storm Franklin brings disruption to the county's network.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said last week marked the first time three named storms have been recorded within seven days since the storm-naming system began in 2015, with Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.

She added that there will “definitely be some impact” from Storm Franklin on Monday but it is not expected to be “as severe” as Eunice because the strongest winds will be confined to the coast.

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