Engineers from Electricity North West have been working hard in difficult conditions to repair damage caused by severe gales and heavy rain but some areas are now no longer accessible due to floods.

Today power has been restored to more than 11,500 customers across the region and engineers will work around the clock to access sites and repair damage to overhead power lines and electricity substations and restore the remaining 1,500 customers in Appleby, Wigton and Kirkby Stephen.

Chris Fox, Systems Manager for Electricity North West, said: “We're continuing to work hard in extremely difficult conditions to restore supplies to as many people as we can as quickly as possible, but severe flooding has prevented us from getting onsite and restoring power to some customers.

“We have drafted in extra engineers and will continue to work throughout the night to get everyone back on and we are here 24 hours a day seven days a week so please contact us if you need any advice or information.”

If you see power lines down please stay away and report it to Electricity North West immediately on 0800 195 4141.

Vulnerable customers, including some older or disabled people, or those with a medical dependency on electricity, can also sign up to the Priority Services Register by visiting www.enwl.co.uk/priority or contacting Electricity North West on 0800 195 4141.

To report a power cut please call 0800 195 4141 or follow @ElectricityNW or visit www.electricitynorthwest.co.uk. To get the latest flood advice and information in your area please visit the Environment Agency.

Customer numbers:

• Appleby: 1,011 customers off at peak, 341 restored and 670 remaining
• Wigton: 786 customers off at peak, 327 restored and 459 remaining
• Kirkby Stephen: 1,266 off at peak, 1,082 restored and 184 remaining
• Settle: 221 off at and 221 remaining
• Melling: 1,073 off at peak, 1,051 restored and 22 remaining
• Grasmere: 30 customers off at peak and 30 remaining

Power cut advice and tips:

• Keep your freezer and fridge door closed to prevent defrosting
• Leave a light on so you know when power is restored
• Take care using candles
• Check on your elderly or sick neighbours and relatives
• Make sure electrical appliances, such as cookers, electric fires etc are turned off
• If you need any advice ring us 24/7 on 0800 195 4141

For more information about flood alerts click here and to keep up-to-date with the weather in your area visit the Met Office.