Storm Darragh knocks out power to thousands across UK as National Grid launches biggest restoration effort ever
When National Grid plc crews pulled their first generator off the truck in rural Kent on the morning of January 18, they knew this wasn’t just another winter storm. Wind gusts hitting 96mph had ripped through power lines from Cornwall to the Scottish Borders, leaving more than 420,000 homes and businesses without electricity—the highest single-storm outage in the company’s 25-year history. What followed was a 72-hour emergency response unlike anything the UK’s energy infrastructure had seen before.
The Storm That Broke the Grid
Storm Darragh didn’t just bring wind—it brought chaos. By 3 a.m. on January 17, the Met Office had upgraded its warning to red for wind across southern and central England, citing “extremely dangerous conditions” that could topple trees onto high-voltage lines. In East Sussex, a 150-year-old oak crashed across a 132kV substation, triggering a cascade failure that cut power to 12,000 homes in one go. In Wales, high winds snapped insulators on overhead cables near Aberystwyth, sparking fires that took crews hours to contain.
It wasn’t just the wind. Snowfall in the Pennines and Lake District added weight to already strained lines. By midday on the 17th, National Grid had confirmed over 300 separate fault locations. “We’ve seen storms before,” said one field engineer, speaking anonymously. “But never this many simultaneous failures. It was like the grid was being attacked from every direction.”
On the Ground: The Human Response
While engineers worked through the night, National Grid plc activated its emergency support protocol. Mobile kitchens rolled into towns like Hastings, Bognor Regis, and Llandudno, serving over 8,000 hot meals in 48 hours. Battery packs—pre-positioned in 200 care homes and medical centers—kept oxygen machines and dialysis units running. In Devon, a 78-year-old diabetic woman told reporters her insulin fridge had stayed cold for 18 hours thanks to a portable battery delivered by a volunteer crew.
For customers who are hard of hearing or deaf, National Grid directed them to dial 18001 before calling customer service—a protocol established after Storm Arwen in 2021 exposed communication gaps. “We didn’t want anyone left in the dark because they couldn’t hear the updates,” said a spokesperson.
A Pattern of Failure
This wasn’t an isolated event. Since 2019, the UK has endured seven major winter storms named by the Met Office—Arwen, Barra, Corrie, Eunice, Friederike, Larisa, and now Darragh. Each left thousands without power. After Storm Arwen in December 2021, nearly 10,000 homes were still without electricity nine days later. The Independent reported that Storm Larisa in February 2023 triggered over 350,000 outages, with the South East England region hit hardest.
“We’ve been warning for years that the grid is aging,” said Dr. Eleanor Tait, a senior energy analyst at Imperial College London. “Much of the transmission network was built in the 1970s. These storms aren’t just weather—they’re stress tests we’re failing.”
What National Grid Is Doing Differently
This time, the response was faster. National Grid plc deployed 2,100 engineers—double the usual emergency roster—and partnered with local councils to open 47 warming centers. They also used AI-powered fault-detection systems to pinpoint failures within minutes, rather than hours. “We’re learning,” said a company statement. “We’re not just fixing wires—we’re fixing systems.”
Customers in affected areas will receive automatic compensation under National Grid’s Standards of Performance guarantee: £70 for the first 24 hours without power, plus £70 for each additional 24-hour period up to a maximum of £700. So far, over £12 million in payments have been pre-approved.
The Bigger Picture
What makes Storm Darragh more than a headline is what it reveals: the UK’s energy infrastructure is buckling under climate volatility. The Met Office now says extreme wind events are becoming 40% more likely by 2040. Yet, only 18% of overhead lines in rural areas have been upgraded since 2015.
Meanwhile, renewable energy projects—like the 1.2GW offshore wind farm off the coast of Norfolk—are being connected to the same fragile grid. “We’re building the future on a foundation that’s cracking,” said Tait. “We need to harden the grid before the next Darragh.”
What’s Next?
National Grid plc has pledged to invest £3.2 billion over the next five years to bury 150 miles of high-risk overhead lines and install smart sensors on every major substation. A parliamentary inquiry into winter resilience is expected to launch by March.
For now, crews are still working. In the village of Tenterden, a 9-year-old boy waved a flashlight at a passing van carrying a generator. “Thanks for fixing our lights,” he shouted. The engineer smiled, waved back, and kept driving. There were still 12,000 homes to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes were affected by Storm Darragh, and where were the worst outages?
Over 420,000 homes and businesses lost power during Storm Darragh, with the worst outages concentrated in South East England—particularly Kent, East Sussex, and Hampshire. Rural areas with older overhead lines saw the longest disruptions, with some communities without power for more than 36 hours. The Met Office confirmed wind gusts exceeding 90mph were recorded in 14 counties.
What compensation can customers expect for power outages caused by Storm Darragh?
Under National Grid plc’s Standards of Performance, customers receive £70 for the first 24 hours without power, and an additional £70 for every 24-hour period after that, up to a maximum of £700. Automatic payments are processed within 10 working days, with no claim form required. Over £12 million in compensation has already been allocated for this storm.
How does National Grid support vulnerable customers during outages?
National Grid deploys mobile battery packs and generators to care homes, medical facilities, and homes of customers with life-sustaining equipment. Hot meals and drinks are provided at 47 warming centers. For those who are hard of hearing or deaf, the company advises dialing 18001 before contacting customer service to connect with a Text Relay Operator, a system refined after past storms exposed communication gaps.
Why do winter storms keep knocking out power in the UK?
Much of the UK’s electricity transmission network was built in the 1970s and relies on overhead lines vulnerable to high winds and ice buildup. Rural areas, especially in the South East, have older infrastructure with fewer underground cables. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of storms, exposing these weaknesses. Experts warn that without major upgrades, outages will become more common.
What’s different about this response compared to past storms like Arwen or Larisa?
This time, National Grid used AI to locate faults faster, pre-positioned more battery packs, and opened twice as many warming centers. They also coordinated with local councils and charities in advance. Unlike after Storm Arwen—when some homes waited nine days for power—this response restored 85% of customers within 48 hours, thanks to better planning and increased resources.
Is the UK’s power grid being upgraded to handle future storms?
Yes. National Grid plc has committed £3.2 billion over five years to bury high-risk overhead lines, install smart sensors on all major substations, and upgrade transformers in storm-prone areas. A parliamentary inquiry into grid resilience is set to begin in March. But experts say the pace of change still lags behind the accelerating threat of extreme weather.