Northern Powergrid prepares for forecast rain and lightning in Calderdale

The Met Office has forecast localised torrential showers and lightning across the region today (Friday) into the weekend, bringing a risk of electricity interruptions and damage to power lines from lightning strikes.

In Calderdale is it forecast that recent hot and humid weather will bring torrential rain and thunderstorms with the potential for sunny spells in between.

Rod Gardner, Northern Powergrid’s head of network operations, said: "We’re ready to respond to the Met Office warnings of heavy rain and lightning and any potential impact on our network and customers. We’re closely tracking the weather and have extra teams in our centres and on the ground, ready to respond and restore power to customers if the pending weather affects our network.

"Customers can visit our website, northernpowergrid.com, and use our power cut map and reporting service to report a power cut or get updates about when their lights will be back on. Extra advisors will also be available at our local 24-hour contact centre to provide information, advice and support to our customers who call 105, the free power cut number.

“We’re encouraging our customers to take a moment to ensure they have added 105 and bookmarked our website on their smartphone and watched our informative videos about what to do if you have a power cut so they’re ready and know what to do if they’re power is affected by the weather.”

The company is asking that anyone who spots any damaged cables or other equipment not to approach the area and report it immediately by calling 105.