- 55,000 properties without power in Lancaster
- Generators requested from across UK
- Electricity North West working with Lancashire and Cumbria Police command to prioritise where generators are most needed
- £500k spent on flood defences at Lancaster substation in 2010 to withstand a '1-in-100-year' flood
- Continued rain means engineers are not expecting to be able to access the substation until lunchtime on Sunday
- Properties in Lancaster could be off for a number of days, depending on damage caused.
55,000 properties are without power after the substation flooded just before 23:00 on Saturday despite efforts throughout the day from Electricity North West and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to increase defences with sandbags and pump water from the area.
The electricity network operator is continuing to work with Lancashire police command to determine where generators are most needed.
Due to continued rain, Electricity North West engineers do not expect to be able to access the substation to start making repairs until lunchtime on Sunday due to safety reasons. Restoration of supplies could take up to 72 hours, following access to the substation, depending on the damage caused.
Electricity North West engineers have restored power to more than 12,000 properties throughout the day. Around 1,500 properties in Cumbria have also lost power due to severe weather.
Follow @ElectricityNW on Twitter or visit www.electricitynorthwest.co.uk for updates. To get the latest flood advice and information in your area please go to the Environment Agency.
For more information about flood alerts click here and to keep up-to-date with the weather in your area visit the Met Office.
What to do in 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
