After Storm Arwen devastated homes in the North of England and Scotland, many residents are now without power for another night.
Following the devastation caused by last week’s torrential rain, snow and gales that decimated infrastructure, about 30,000 homes are still off the grid.
The Energy Networks Association warns that it will take at most seven days to restore electricity in some areas.
This comes just as the Met Office issues a two-day Ice Warning and warns that more snow could fall and there might be sub-zero temperatures.
The hazard update was issued by Meteorologists for tomorrow and tonight covering Northern Scotland and North East England.
Meanwhile National Trust staff were left in tears after Storm Arwen brought down thousands of trees, including ‘irreplaceable’ specimens.
The conservation charity said the full extent of the damage caused by the storm was still being assessed, but restoration was likely to cost at least £3million.
National Trust shares an image of a tree that has fallen at Cragside, Northumberland. The National Trust said the full extent of the damage caused by Storm Arwen was still being assessed, but restoration was likely to cost at least £3million
Following the last week’s torrential rain, snow and gales that tore through the infrastructure of the region, about 30,000 houses had been cut from the grid. Pictured is a fallen tree at Ullswater Lake District
The Energy Networks Association has warned that electricity restoration will not be possible until at least the middle of the week, seven days following the storm.
The ENA reported that engineers had reconnected 97% of the homes damaged by the power outages. However, most of the affected people live in areas where crew access is limited.
The organisation stated that power had been restored overnight to 12,000 additional homes and has also been working on 4,500 damaged sites.
Ross Easton, director of ENA said that despite some difficult conditions, network companies made progress over the past night. Ninety-seven per cent of connected homes are now online.
“While the number of homes is on the rise, those remaining are located in the most remote and hardest-hit areas of the country.
With the help of energy companies and local resilience forums, the provision of hot meals and shelters has been made possible by partnerships with emergency services and local authorities.
Some homes will be disconnected until after the week, especially single rural or group houses. The worst affected areas have received engineers from the UK.
On Wednesday afternoon, Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to make a statement about the state of the Commons.
According to the ENA, engineers reconnected 97% percent of affected households. However, most of those affected still live in isolated areas that make it difficult for crews to reach them.
The organisation, pictured with its workers last night, said that power had been restored overnight to 12,000 additional homes. It has also been working at 4,500 damaged sites.
Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, asked local MPs for more pressure to the Government.
He added: “We are thankful to all engineers working for Electricity North West, who work hard to repair substantial damage throughout the network.
They have worked tirelessly to restore power, but thousands of people and businesses remain without electricity since six days. The ongoing power outage threatens lives and makes it difficult for people to stay warm.
Chris Burchell was the managing director for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. He apologized to his customers.
He stated that the impact of Storm Arwen had caused severe damage to electricity networks in Scotland’s North-East. This is the biggest event in the region’s history.
It comes after Northern Powergrid denied claims by Conservative MP Richard Holden North West Durham it declined an offer of military assistance as thousands remain without power due to Storm Arwen.
On Tuesday, North West Durham MP, speaking in the House of Commons, stated: “My understanding is, that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy offered military assistance to civil authorities – MACA-this weekend, but it was refused by the Northern Powergrid.”
Northern Powergrid spokesmen stated that no military aid was offered and therefore there has been no rejection. According to the spokesman, they also stated that Saturday was early and they took part in an industry mutual help call.
“Through this voluntary agreement, we have utilised special engineering resources and equipment from UK Power Networks. Northern Ireland Electricity. Their teams helped us restore power to customers following the impacts of Storm Arwen.
“We have an established protocol that allows us to participate in Local Resilience Groups for major disasters. It is this process where we would normally make a request or offer assistance. We’ve done all necessary checks to confirm that we received no request or refusal.
On Wednesday morning, the Met Office released another round of warnings, stating that there would be severe ice conditions in the North East and North of England for the next two days.
According to meteorologists, temperatures will drop again on Wednesday due to ice on roads and pavements.
According to them, there could be slips or falls and icy patches on untreated pavements, roads, and cycles paths. There may also be road and rail accidents due to ice, snow, and other factors.
Tonight’s temperatures will drop to -3C in parts of central Scotland, while the temperature will remain steady at 1-2C for most of England.
According to the National Trust, gale force winds from storm Arwen caused thousands of trees to be felled by gales.
The conservation charity said the full extent of the damage caused by the storm was still being assessed, but restoration was likely to cost at least £3million.
It said that more than 50 trees had been removed from the Trust’s Bodnant Garden, North Wales. This included a 51-metre high ‘champion’ coast Redwood and many unique hybrid Rhododendrons.
It was a terrible experience for staff, and they were in pain. The clean up is going to be a long process.
National Trust also shared another photo of Wray Castle’s fallen tree in the Lake District. This was taken during the fierce weather.
Andy Jasper from the National Trust was the head of parks and gardens at the Trust. He said the storm had done a “huge blow” to British heritage at Bodnant, taking down the largest and most significant specimen trees.
Adam Salvin (pictured), Bodnant Garden’s acting head gardener, said: “It was a shock to staff members and volunteers to come in to witness the devastation done in one night. It was a difficult night.
Wallington, Northumberland saw thousands of trees fall as wind speeds reached up to 98mph. This included more than half a generation from Sir Walter Calverley Blackett’s 250-year-old oak trees and beech trees.
According to the National Trust, there is no power or water and it has been without phone and internet lines. All footpaths have been blocked.
The charity staff in Lake District were counting down the trees that had been cut, although they expect to have reached the thousands.
Many trees have been lost in estates such Wray Castle, Fell Foot, Sizergh. At Tarn Hows an 18th-century landscape that Beatrix Potter owned, fallen trees, as well as debris, are blocking the roads and trails.
Hardcastle Crags, Erddig, Cragside, Northumberland, Cragside, and Attingham Park were just a few of the other National Trust properties badly damaged.
Andy Jasper from the National Trust was the head of parks and gardens at the Trust. He said the storm had dealt a severe blow to British Heritage at Bodnant and that it had taken down many of the most significant and oldest specimen trees in the garden.
“National Tree Week was a time when we expected to celebrate the trees that we care for, but instead we are witnessing the extent of the destruction.
“But this week, however, has assumed a new meaning for us and we are asking our supporters donate, if possible, to help restore the affected places.
According to him, it would take several months for the landscapes and gardens to be cleared up and many years to restore them fully. Some would never look the same again.
“We’ll also ensure that the restoration works are as resistant as possible to severe weather events, such as these which become more frequent as climate change changes occur.”
Adam Salvin (Acting Head Gardener, Bodnant Garden) said that it was a shocking experience for both staff and volunteers who came in to view the damage done in just one night. There were many tears.
“We have seen floods and storms in this area before, but the damage here is unprecedented.”
Visitors to northern Wales or England are advised by the trust to verify property sites before they set out. Some places may remain closed, while others could have their walking routes altered due to damage.