HUNDREDS of Dorset homes are still without power following Storm Eunice.
Electricity provider SSEN updated customers by text message during the early hours of this morning to inform them power would not be restored until 11pm tonight (Tuesday).
It means some customers will have been without power for five days after Storm Eunice saw hurricane-force winds lash the county on Friday, causing widespread power cuts.
It is understood that the majority of customers in Dorset have had power restored after SSEN's engineers battled through difficult conditions over the weekend, including further strong winds yesterday as Storm Franklin saw a yellow weather warning imposed.
But hundreds of customers are still without power this morning.
Affected postcodes include DT3, near Chickerell/Langton Herring, DT2 postcodes in areas surrounding Dorchester; and homes within the DT10, DT11 postcodes.
According to SSEN's online mapping tool most affected homes should see power restored by 11pm today (Tuesday) - however some residents of Muckleford, in the DT2 postcode area, may not see a resolution until 11pm tomorrow (Wednesday.)
A welfare van is based at St Michael Church, Pilford, Wimborne BH21 7AB from 8am today.
In an update last night Richard Gough, SSEN's director of distribution system operations, said: “Our teams have been working incredibly hard to restore power to customers and ensure they are fully supported.
“We are making good progress despite the impact of Storm Franklin which brought gusts of over 60mph to the region, impacting the ability for our overhead line teams to work at height.
“I’d like to thank all customers for their patience and understanding and apologise to those who remain off supply. I know it’s incredibly frustrating and inconvenient to be without power for multiple days and I want to reassure customers that we are doing everything we can to get their lights back on."
The #SSEN welfare van will be at St Michael's Church, Pilford, Wimborne BH21 7AB offering free hot food, hot drinks and charging for devices for people who still are without power at home. If you are in need of urgent care, or you know someone who is, please call 01305 221000. pic.twitter.com/L34A8iy2Sv
— Dorset Council UK (@DorsetCouncilUK) February 22, 2022
How to claim compensation for loss of power
Customers will be eligible for compensation under Guaranteed Standards if they have been without power for more than 48 hours, where they will be eligible for a payment of £70.
A further £70 will be due for each additional period of 12 hours in which supply is not restored, up to a cap of £700.
How to claim for alternative accommodation
SSEN said customers who have been without power since Friday and have an Estimated Time of Restoration later than Monday evening may be able to claim back 'reasonable' costs for arranging alternative accommodation.
For more information about the support available see the below article:
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