Storm Desmond: Energy firm to offer flood compensation
- Published
Electricity North West said 55,000 customers in Lancaster and 13,000 in Cumbria were affected when an electricity substation flooded.
An energy firm is setting up a team to handle compensation claims from people whose homes lost power in Lancashire and Cumbria during Storm Desmond.
Electricity North West said 55,000 customers in Lancaster and 13,000 in Cumbria were affected when an electricity substation flooded.
The energy firm has received 22,000 applications for goodwill payments.
Storm Desmond battered north-west England, as well as other parts of the UK, in December.
The substation in Caton Road, Lancaster, was fully submerged
According to Citizens Advice, external compensation payments of £70 can be made when homes are off for 24 hours or more, 48 hours in a severe storm. The payments can increase depending on how much longer power is off.
22,000 seek power cut payouts
Compensation for flood-affected homes
55,000
customers in Lancaster lost power when a substation flooded
13,000
more lost power in Cumbria
-
£70 is paid if weather cuts power for 24 hours (48 in severe storms)
-
£70 is then paid for each additional 12 hours power is off
-
£700 is the maximum compensation payout for power cuts
A month's worth of rain fell in the region in just 24 hours causing widespread disruption and severe floods.
The substation in Caton Road, Lancaster, was fully submerged as flood defences upgraded five years ago to cope with a "one-in-a-100 years flood" were breached.
The company hopes to start issuing payments later this month.
Electricity North West said 55,000 customers in Lancaster and 13,000 in Cumbria were affected when an electricity substation flooded
Electricity North West said 55,000 customers in Lancaster and 13,000 in Cumbria were affected when an electricity substation flooded
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