Britain’s electricity grid is under more pressure than at any point in recent decades. Storm Arwen in November 2021 left 200,000 homes without power. Some waited a week. Storm Isha in January 2024 brought widespread outages across northern Britain.
The First 30 Minutes
Check whether it is just your property by looking at your neighbours lights. Report the outage by calling 105 — the national power cut helpline, free from any phone. Switch off major appliances to prevent a surge when power returns. A full freezer maintains safe temperature for 24-48 hours if kept closed.
Heating Without Mains Power
Most UK homes use gas central heating but the boiler controls are electric. Options include wood burning stoves, LPG heaters with ventilation, and layering clothes in one room. Never use barbecues or petrol generators indoors — carbon monoxide poisoning risk.
Light and Communication
Switch your phone to low power mode immediately. Text rather than call — texts get through on congested networks when voice calls fail. A battery powered or hand crank radio gives access to BBC emergency broadcasts.
Food and Cooking
Gas hobs work normally during a power cut — light manually with a match. Induction and electric hobs do not work. Focus on ambient temperature foods and save cooking for one hot meal daily to conserve fuel.
If It Lasts More Than 24 Hours
Contact your DNO Priority Services Register at energynetworks.org/customers/priority-services if anyone in your household is elderly, disabled, or medically dependent on electricity. Monitor medication — insulin requires refrigeration. Contact your GP or 111 if your fridge has been off more than four hours.
The Permanent Fix
Build these into your home now: a head torch per person, a 20,000mAh power bank, a battery or crank radio, a camping stove with gas, and a portable power station. Do it before the lights go out rather than after.
