National Grid blames fallen trees for power issues in Devon and Cornwall

In the aftermath of Storm Darragh, which struck the UK recently, the National Grid is working diligently to restore power to thousands of homes. It has been reported that as of Tuesday morning, more than 3,000 properties are still without power, with 3,332 in Devon and 626 in Cornwall. The storm generated winds gusting up to 96mph (155km/h), marking it as the fourth named storm of the season, following Storm Ashley, Storm Bert, and Storm Conall. The extreme conditions have caused significant damage to the power supply infrastructure, primarily due to fallen trees. The impact of the storm has been described as unprecedented, with Roisin Quinn, field operations director, noting that Storm Darragh is the most considerable storm the region has faced in decades. The fallen trees not only caused disruption to the power supply but also hindered access to repair sites. As engineers and support teams work around the clock to restore services, they continue to face challenges with site accessibility and overwhelming call volumes. In addition to the disruption, the National Grid has expressed appreciation for the patience shown by customers during this difficult time. The organization is doing everything possible to expedite the restoration of power and to address the high volume of customer inquiries. The weather conditions remain severe, with reports of winds exceeding 70mph (112km/h) even in inland areas. The record wind speed for the South West still stands at 118mph (189km/h) recorded at Gwennap Head, Cornwall, in December 1979. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the aftermath of the storm continues to unfold. The ongoing power outages have significant implications for customers, affecting their daily lives and safety. Efforts will persist until power is restored, and residents can resume normal activities. The situation highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather events and raises awareness about the significance of preparedness for future storms.