In a significant weather event affecting Oxfordshire, approximately 1,600 households experienced power outages today due to high winds, heavy rain, and storm damage caused by Storm Darragh. Fallen trees and infrastructure challenges have compounded the situation.
Wantage Power Outage
Wantage has been heavily impacted, with 792 households losing electricity early this morning at 7:34 a.m. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) technicians are on-site, working diligently to restore power, which is expected to return by 4:00 p.m.
Local businesses affected during these disruptions might find value in setting up a free business profile with our directory, connecting them with the community during challenging times.
Wallingford Power Disruption
Wallingford has also faced significant outages, with 469 households losing power at 5:48 a.m. SSEN expects restoration by 6:00 p.m., though persistent storm conditions and safety precautions may prolong efforts.
Middle Barton and East Oxford
Middle Barton and East Oxford are experiencing smaller but notable outages. Fourteen homes in Middle Barton lost power at 7:01 a.m., with restoration anticipated by 10:00 p.m. Meanwhile, East Oxford reported outages involving 21 homes last evening at 5:41 p.m., with power projected to resume by midday today.
Banbury and Surrounding Areas
In Banbury, 275 households remain without electricity, and nearby villages are also reporting outages. Rising river levels have prompted flood alerts across the county, urging residents to remain cautious.
For reliable updates, residents can consult resources provided by the Oxfordshire County Council.
SSEN’s Emergency Response
SSEN has activated a robust response to tackle the widespread outages. Eliane Algaard, Director of Customer Operations, explained:
“We’ve seen particularly strong winds across our network area during the early hours of Saturday, and this has affected some customers’ supplies. Our priority this morning has been to reconnect as many customers as possible remotely, and we’ve successfully got thousands of them back on thanks to the remote switching we’ve been able to do from our network control room.”
Ms. Algaard also noted that SSEN has deployed 10 times their usual staffing levels to address faults and support customers, highlighting their dedication to minimizing disruption despite adverse conditions.
Stay Safe During Stormy Weather
Residents are urged to prioritize safety during the storm. Avoid downed power lines, promptly report outages to SSEN through their helpline, and stay alert to weather warnings. For ongoing outages or fault reports, SSEN’s official website provides updated information and resources.
If you’re based around Wantage, consider staying informed and engaged through our community-driven business directory. Whether you’re seeking local service providers or community updates, our directory remains a key resource.
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