No electricity since 03.30 a.m

[Nopowerflower]

We had a power cut at 03.30 this morning and still don’t have electricity. UK power network keeps pushing back the time power will be restored. They are now estimating 9.30 p.m.

My DS is at home with Covid which means we are all self isolating and can’t even leave the house to get a hot drink.

We are all freezing. DH and I both working from home but obviously without WiFi couldn’t do our jobs. My manager made me take today as annual leave.

I am so so angry. DS is really suffering with Covid & I couldn’t even make him a hot drink or meal. It’s getting colder even with all the blankets we have. I rang UK power network and asked about emergency generator they said no we just have to wait it out.

Can’t face more hours of sitting in the cold with no idea when power will come back on. All our phones are about to die as we haven’t been able to charge them so can’t even watch anything on phone.

Thoroughly fed up.

Actually you can be in the register for all sorts of reasons, not just medical equipment: disability, children under 5, recent move, relationship breakdown, neurodiversity, about a billion more, but all reasons why people might be unprepared for a power cut or struggle more when one happens.

If your neighbours have power, are you certain you still have a powercut?

The power surge could have tripped your fuse too and you haven't noticed to switch it on.

Power cuts are a pain. I'm in the NW England and it's really cold today. (Although I don't have the heating on.) Best place is in bed, under a pile of blankets.
I think expecting them to supply generators to each of the houses affected is a bit over the top.

Was about 15 years ago now but we lost power for 5 days one February due to the bad snow. God it was awful. Thankfully we had a coal fire so at least a bit of heat but having to leave that room wasn't fun. I feel for you op

@NotBabiesForLong

If your neighbours have power, are you certain you still have a powercut?

The power surge could have tripped your fuse too and you haven't noticed to switch it on.

Oh God, imagine that 🤦‍♀️
Have you checked your fuse box OP?

Some posters are being dickish but come on OP even with a cold you can make a 2min walk to a neighbour to ask for a flask etc.
Its understandable you are pissed off and cold but you don't have to be a martyr.
A warm drink inside you and you will feel much better.

Are you able to sign up to text updates? Could either of you work from a library or cafe tomorrow ?

I think fuse box too

It’s not just my house, now that it’s pitch black outside I can see which houses have power and which don’t and I’d say about 12 houses don’t.

The website update is still saying investigations are being carried out but there are no vans or visible engineers around.

We ordered a takeaway which made us feel a bit better but it’s the not knowing when it will be back on. Potentially having days of this is frankly quite awful.

Storm Desmond, entire city without electricity for 48 hours and then generator only 9-5 for a further 5 days in December.

Fun times.

I hope you get power back soon!

@Nopowerflower

It seems like only a handful of houses are affected, most of my neighbours aren’t affected and I can see their lights on from my window!

Just can’t believe there isn’t a backup plan. How can we and other vulnerable people be left for what will be 18 hours without power (if it comes on when they say it will).

I know you're cross but why haven't you got a backup plan? I have an inverter and a car battery to hook it up to. You can get ones with multiple plug sockets to keep stuff running or charge phones. Even a portable charger for phones.

Camping lanterns, camping stove so you can sit at the back door to heat up water etc. Its why I choose to have a gas cooker.

There may come a time where this sort of stuff happens regularly. You need to be able to help yourself.

So if it continues until tomorrow then those of you without power need to communicate and pool together.
Some may have gas for all you know and can heat water etc. If I was in this situation I'd be knocking on doors and getting info.
Just a thought.

• @gamerchick the OP clearly doesn't have a back up plan. Stop being smug about what you have. It's not going to help right now.

Today I couldn’t through no fault of my own. My boss was not understanding and made me take a precious days leave

What else could he do though? 🤷🏻‍♀️

You weren't able to work, of course you have to take leave.

@Babybellblue

* *@gamerchick* the OP clearly doesn't have a back up plan. Stop being smug about what you have. It's not going to help right now.

No, you're right. But there may come a point where it happens again. Everyone needs a backup plan. Stamping your feet about it doesn't work.

And OP as tough as it is, if you only have a cold, even if it's bad, and you are required to self-isolate, you really do have to get yourself together & go out, and get what you need. You can't just sit there in the dark & cold bemoaning your fate.

It's really crap & hopefully it will be back on soon but you really need to be more proactive.

This happened to us a few weeks ago, minus the covid, and they eventually fixed it at 10.30pm on the Sunday nt. Said they are really short staffed
Are you anywhere near a fellow mumsnetter l wonder!

@gamerchick if there comes a time this happens regularly, people most likely will have things in place. As a current rarity (you should hope it stays that way rather than sounding joyous that you would be okay even if it did) many people wouldn’t have thought they would be left without any power or support from the company they are paying an extortionate amount to for energy for more than a few hours. Many of your back up plans only last that long anyway…

So you're double jabbed but you have a cold so are self isolating? That just seems daft. Do an LFT and go get some hot food.

@gamerchick if there comes a time this happens regularly, people most likely will have things in place

Sooner the better imo. People don't really get that some things may not be able to take for granted anymore. There's fuck all joyous about it

@Ginger1982

So you're double jabbed but you have a cold so are self isolating? That just seems daft. Do an LFT and go get some hot food.

To be fair she said they've got colds from hell so could be feeling really quite poorly. Potentially to the point that they may not be safe to drive etc.

She also updated to say they'd ordered a takeaway before you posted.

I grew up with lots of powercuts

Contact neighbors. They can help fill hot water bottle and water for a thermos flask of water etc.

Why are you wasting precious phone battery on mn?

Dig out all the candles you have, the flames give off heat.

For supper order take out. Chinese chicken noodle soup does wonders for a cold.

Wait it out & good luck. Hope you all feel better soon

@RandomMess

Storm Desmond, entire city without electricity for 48 hours and then generator only 9-5 for a further 5 days in December.

Fun times.

I hope you get power back soon!

Storm Katrina, no power at all for 7 days - last in country to be reconnected. Fun times.

@user1493494961

Why are you so cold, it's not the middle of winter.

No but it's 7° here.

@CliffsofMohair bloody grim!!

Until you live it you don't realise - no shops, no petrol, just cold and dark. Bloody hungry as well once you'd ran out of food you could cold.

It was a big lesson in gratitude, we still had clean water and weren't being shot at or bombed like those living in war torn countries are!

I went out in the car to hear the radio - "anyone affected go to www. Blah blah bla" not much good when no one had mobile reception (our street did until your phone battery ran out) and the landline phones weren't working either.

Brushes across the river shut as they'd been damaged.

Happy days!