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Storm Eunice update - Help for communities


Storm Eustice graphic

More than 13,000 properties in Cornwall are without power today (Saturday, February 19) as a result of Storm Eunice as Cornwall Council works with partners to help communities stay safe and appeals to residents to look out for vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends.

Western Power Distribution (WPD) is working to restore power to affected homes by midnight on Monday with many homes to be restored earlier.  

Cornwall Council is working with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and WPD to establish community spaces at six fire stations for affected residents to access hot drinks, use microwaves, fill up flasks and hot water bottles and charge mobile phones.

The stations are Bodmin, Saltash, Falmouth, Bude, Liskeard and St Keverne and will be open until 6.30pm tonight and from 10am to 6pm on Sunday.

Residents needing support can also ring the Council’s emergency number from 9am to 9pm throughout the weekend and on Monday on 01872 323752.

Cornwall Council is contacting town and parish council Community Emergency Plan groups to support their communities.

In addition Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Cornwall Police are mobilising their teams of community police officers including PSO officers and Tri Service Safety Officers to check on residents without power.

Volunteer Cornwall has asked volunteers to look out for vulnerable residents this weekend.

To report a power cut ring Western Power Distribution on 105.

Cllr Olly Monk, Cornwall’s Portfolio holder for housing and planning, said: “Storm Eunice is still causing massive disruption for thousands of households across Cornwall who are affected by power outages this weekend.

“While the power companies are doing everything they can to get households back on grid, together with our partners we are working hard to carry out checks where we can on residents who don’t have power at home. If you or someone you know needs support you can ring our emergency number from 9am to 9pm throughout the weekend and on Monday on 01872 323752.

“We are appealing to people in Cornwall especially in areas that are worse affected to please help by looking out for your neighbours, relatives and friends who are vulnerable and might be struggling this weekend."

Anyone with urgent but not life-threatening health concerns should ring 111.

If you are in danger, call 999.

Update at 3pm, Saturday 19 February 2022

With Council and partners working flat out to support households without power, clear debris and keep residents safe, the focus of the Cornwall Tactical Command Group now is focussing on the clear up, getting homes back on power, and the recovery phase.

• There are now more than 13,000 homes in Cornwall without power, with Western Power Distribution (WPD) teams working hard to return power.
• WPD is working with the British Red Cross to prioritise people registered as vulnerable. If you or someone you know is worried or needs access to food and medication, the support line is open this weekend from 10am to 6pm on 0808 196 3651.
• You can claim compensation for power cuts during severe weather of £70 as a domestic customer and £70 as a non-domestic customer if power is off for 24 hours (Storm Category 1) or 48 hours (Storm Category 2). Ofgem checks and verifies storm categories. You can get a further £70 for each additional 12 hours of being off supply, up to a total of £700.
• There remain a number of fallen trees and properties with damaged roofs and whole roofs and roof debris causing issues. To report a fallen tree please call Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 222 and press option 1.
• Great Western Railway have warned people not to travel today unless essential as they work to clear the lines.
• We are under a Met Office yellow wind warning for Cornwall until 6pm tonight and again from midday on Sunday to 3pm on Monday. Risks include possible road closures and delays to travelling times.
• Inspections to damaged structures will be carried out once it is safe to do so.
• Recycling and garden waste and clinical waste are being collected today and black bag rubbish that could not be collected yesterday will be collected on Friday 25 February.
• The mass Covid vaccination site at Stithians is closed until Monday, while structural inspections take place.

For information on power outages please visit Western Power website

For traffic and travel information tune into local radio stations.

 

Further information

To keep up to date with the latest information please follow social media accounts

For National Rail travel enquiries call 03457 48 49 50 or visit their website 

Updates for Transport for Cornwall bus services, including First Kernow, are posted on their Twitter feed

The Tamar Bridge is open and the Tamar Ferry Crossings are running. Please refer to their website or social media for updates, or call the Ferry on 01752 812233. 

 

How to get help or report a problem

The Council’s highways service and CORMAC have shut all routine roadworks and have increased crews standing by to respond to issues on Cornwall’s road network.

To report a blocked or damaged road or pavement that is causing an immediate danger, damage to a Cornwall Housing property, highway emergency or an issue which has the potential to cause harm or injury - please call the council on 0300 1234 222 (24 hour) or use our report it form 

Call 105 or visit www.powercut105.com to report a power cut.

To report flooding, contact the Environment Agency Incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 (24 hour). Be flood aware and prepare if you can, and know what to do if your home starts to flood or call the Environment Agency on 0345 988 1188 (24 hour).

Food bank schemes in your locations can be found at Let's Talk Cornwall website. 

The Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.  If you see, or know of, anyone sleeping rough call 0300 1234 161.

Winter Warm and Wellbeing

The Winter Wellbeing guides have useful advice and information. They cover staying warm, keeping well and being happy and safe this winter.

Organisations that can offer support, Monday – Friday, include:

Volunteer Cornwall 01872 266988 or email requestforhelp@volunteercornwall.org.uk

Crisis Awards of up to £1,500 can help people in emergency or disaster situations with their immediate needs. Benefit contact centre – 0300 1234 121

Community Energy Plus 0800 954 1956

Age UK Cornwall Helpline – 01872 266 383

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service – 0800 358 1999

Disability Cornwall – lifestyle support scheme -01736 697055  comf@disabilitycornwall.org.uk

Citizens Advice – 0800 1444 8848

Royal Voluntary Service 0330 555 0310, part of British Red Cross

Royal British Legion who offer financial support for emergency situations 0800 802 8080.

The Fuel Petroleum Service (FPS) runs a Cold Weather Priority scheme. This is designed to identify those customers most vulnerable to cold conditions. It ensures that your fuel supplier knows who you are and where you are. They can then take appropriate steps to ensure fuel availability. This is especially true in times of fuel shortage or extreme cold weather.  In Cornwall the following are members of the Fuel Petroleum Service (FPS): 

If you find yourself in a situation where you believe you are in danger, call 999.

Update posted at 3pm, Saturday 19 February 2022