Another update on the Storm Arwen situation and the latest
on hotel accommodation, reimbursements, today's picture, vulnerable people and
more.
Please do share this information to anyone who might need it.
I appreciate how frustrating it is to be on day 6 without power. This is a mammoth operation, I am continuing to push for things to go as fast as possible, but I am grateful to the teams out working hard to get us reconnected.
Current situation
Today, I have been out in the constituency, checking in with
residents in areas still affected. Power continues to be restored in the
constituency, but there are clearly areas that are still without power.
Welfare
Project teams comprising Northern Powergrid, Local
Resilience Forums, Northumberland County Council and emergency services have
been deployed to areas still impacted focusing on visiting all those off supply
to provide information and signpost them to support and welfare measures in
place.
If you are worried about friends and family, please ask them
to get in touch either with Northumberland County Council or with my team. We can arrange a welfare check.
You can contact the County Council via:
Contact Centre (for general queries): 0345 6006400
Northumberland Communities Together (for anyone struggling
with food supplies or other essentials) Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm: 01670 620015
One Call (for concerns about vulnerable residents or
safeguarding issues): 01670 536400
Community Hubs
A number of Community Hubs are currently in operation across
the affected areas for people needing support after Storm Arwen.
The below list which also describes the offers, is accurate
as of 2.30pm 2 Dec:
Falstone – Black Cock Inn – hot food / warmth
Berwick – Leisure Centre - showers
Ponteland – Leisure Centre – hot water/showers / Hot
Drinks (HIVE Cafe)
Ponteland - Merton Hall – hot water / food / drink /
warmth / phone charging
Hexham – Leisure Centre – hot water / showers (Hot drinks
HIVE Cafe)
Alternative accommodation and food
If you are not able to stay with a family member or friend
PLEASE take advantage of the reimbursement offer from Northern Powergrid as
below:
If any customer is without power and is unable to make
alternative arrangements to stay with family or a friend, Northern Powergrid
will reimburse all reasonable costs for alternative accommodation:
Customers who can coordinate this themselves are encouraged
to do so, being asked to keep receipts and to send details of costs incurred to
Northern Powergrid’s dedicated email address StormArwen@northernpowergrid.com
Anyone who may need support in arranging alternative
accommodation should call the 105 power cut number
Customers can also continue to access Northern Powergrid’s welfare facilities for free hot food and drinks, as well as claim the cost of takeaways or meals from local establishments, up to £15 per person per meal. Other reasonable costs incurred by customers impacted by Storm Arwen will also be considered and customers are asked to retain their receipts in order to obtain reimbursement.
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦
Northern Powergrid have confirmed to me that they will pay
market rates and reasonable costs for generators, and we are coordinating with
local generator suppliers to assist in getting these out to people on the
ground.
There are a limited number of generators, and these are
being prioritised for the most vulnerable.
This has been one of the worst storms for many years, and
the priority is to get everyone connected as soon as possible.
If you or someone you know is vulnerable or has an urgent
issue, please contact me on 01434 239 205, or on guy.opperman@parliament.uk.
