Red Cross helping National Grid in storm aftermath

“Where customers are waiting to be reconnected, it has either been too dangerous for our teams to carry out work, or there have been other obstacles, such as flooding, limiting our access to power lines,” it said.

“Engineers from other companies which have finished Storm Darragh repairs in other parts of the country are now assisting our teams to speed up reconnections.”

In an update on Thursday National Grid added the vast majority of customers who lost power as a result of the storm had been restored but there were “some pockets where small numbers of customers remain without power”.

It said: “Generators and battery packs are being supplied to vulnerable customers, we are delivering hot food and drinks in the most impacted areas, and warm hubs have been opened in partnership with local authorities.

“The Red Cross is assisting our own staff in carrying out welfare checks for those without power.”

It added customers without electricity could access free hot food and drinks until 22:00 GMT via welfare vans at the following locations:

It said it customers could access further support and updates online or by calling 105.