Red Cross helping National Grid in storm aftermath

Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, hit the region over the weekend with winds gusting to up to 96mph

National Grid has enlisted additional engineers and the Red Cross to help residents in Devon and Cornwall who are still without power following Storm Darragh.

Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, hit the region at the weekend with winds gusting to up to 96mph (155km/h).

The energy distributor said it had restored power to more than two million customers but there were still "small numbers" affected in Devon and Cornwall.

Roisin Quinn, from the National Grid, said it was working on reconnecting all customers across the South West by Thursday night.

'Speed up reconnections'

National Grid said teams had been working through the night to restore properties that lost power from "the worst storm our regions have seen in decades".

"Where customers are waiting to be reconnected, it has either been too dangerous for our teams to carry out work, or there have been other obstacles, such as flooding, limiting our access to power lines," it said.

"Engineers from other companies which have finished Storm Darragh repairs in other parts of the country are now assisting our teams to speed up reconnections."

In an update on Thursday National Grid added the vast majority of customers who lost power as a result of the storm had been restored but there were "some pockets where small numbers of customers remain without power".

It said: "Generators and battery packs are being supplied to vulnerable customers, we are delivering hot food and drinks in the most impacted areas, and warm hubs have been opened in partnership with local authorities.

"The Red Cross is assisting our own staff in carrying out welfare checks for those without power."

It added customers without electricity could access free hot food and drinks until 22:00 GMT via welfare vans at the following locations:

• Porlock Main Car Park, TA24 8PE

• Instow, North Devon, EX39 4LZ

• Bampton, Devon, EX16 9NB

• Lynmouth, Blue Ball Inn, EX35 6NE

It said it customers could access further support and updates online or by calling 105.