NORTHUMBERLAND County Council is working alongside partners to restore power to homes still without power after Storm Isha. 

As of midday on Monday (January 22), some 5,000 properties in the county were still without power. The council said teams were working with Northern Powergrid and Scottish Power Energy Networks to restore power “as soon as possible”.

Northumberland recorded the highest wind speeds in the country during the storm, with gusts of 99mph recorded at Brizlee Wood near Alnwick. And while the amber warning for Isha has now passed, council staff are now preparing for the arrival of Storm Jocelyn, with a yellow Met Office warning in place from 4pm on Tuesday.

The leader of Northumberland County Council, Cllr Glen Sanderson praised council staff for their response.

He said: “I firstly want to thank all the staff who have worked over the weekend and through the nights supporting residents and keeping the county moving. 

“We have had some awful weather which has caused various problems in parts of our county. We know the storm has affected most of the UK but once again we have all come together to support each other during these difficult times. 

“We’d also encourage people to keep checking on their friends, families and neighbours as agencies work to restore all affected services.” 

The following numbers are available for residents needing support: 

  • NCT (for anyone struggling with food supplies or other essentials) Mon-Fri 01670 620015.  
  • NCC out-of-hours service: 0345 600 6400  
  • Northern Powergrid call 105.  
  • Scottish Power call 105.  
  • Concerned about vulnerable residents 01670 536400. 

Reviews into the responses of various agencies were carried out following the devastation caused by Storm Arwen in 2021. Wind speeds of almost 100mph saw thousands of people left without power, some for up to ten days after the storm.