• Electricity North West engineers have restored power to 24,000 homes since Saturday morning
• Power restored to 11,000 homes in Lancaster by generator
• 4,000 more homes in Lancaster expected to be restored by first light tomorrow
• Majority of remaining 40,000 homes in Lancaster area expected to be restored by tomorrow evening
• A number of faults due to flooding are still affecting homes in Cumbria

Engineers have repaired scores of faults in Cumbria and have installed a number of generators from across the UK at key sites in Lancashire. Teams from Electricity North West are continuing to work throughout the night and expect to restore power to another 4,000 homes in Lancaster by first light on Monday.

Electricity North West says that it hopes to restore the majority of the remaining 40,000 homes in Lancaster by Monday evening.

55,000 properties lost power in Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding area just before 23:00 on Saturday when flood waters breached defences that had been upgraded in 2010 to withstand a 'once-in-100-years' flood. Engineers gained access to the site at 11:00 on Sunday and will work continuously on shifts until damage is repaired and power is restored.

Mark Williamson, operations director at Electricity North West, said: "This is an incredibly difficult time with the unprecedented flooding we've seen in the area but our engineers and partner agencies are doing a fantastic job in a coordinated effort to restore power to as many homes and businesses as possible, as quickly as possible.

"We have installed all the generators that we have access to and are arranging for more to be delivered to the area from across the UK. We will continue our restoration strategy to install the rest at the highest priority sites, while also fixing faults in other areas."

Engineers have also prevented the need for planned power cuts in Carlisle having worked with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Police, Environment Agency and the Army to pump water from a key electricity substation in the area that serves 61,000 customers.

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 or contact Electricity North West on 0800 195 4141.

What to do if you have a power cut:

• Use a battery operated or wind-up torch
• Have warm clothes and blankets available
• Check on your elderly or sick neighbours and relatives
• Make sure electrical appliances, such as cookers, electric fires etc are turned off
• Join our Priority Service Register if you need extra support electricitynorthwest.co.uk/priority
• Keep your freezer and fridge door closed to prevent defrosting
• If you need any advice ring us 24/7 on 0800 195 4141 or follow @ElectricityNW

During a flood:

• If water is about to enter your property, turn off your electricity supply, but only if safe to do so
• Do not touch any electrical equipment or cables whilst you are standing in flood water
• Do not touch any electrical equipment or cables that have been immersed in flood water