Storm Eunice: Around 150,000 homes in the UK still without power after strong winds hit the country

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Some 155,000 homes in Britain are still without power after Hurricane Eunice hit the country yesterday, according to energy companies.

The violent storm brought winds of up to 122mph into the UK, killing three people and causing widespread disruption.

And at least six more deaths were reported in Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

1.22 million subscribers of the roughly 1.3 million affected by the storm had reconnected as of Saturday at 4:00 pm.

The Power Networks Association of Great Britain, the umbrella group for electricity and gas companies, said 155,000 remained without power, mainly in the south of England but also in the east of the country and in south Wales.

Business and Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said earlier in the day: “High winds in the south of England are affecting restoration efforts.

“We hope most customers get supplies back soon,” he added.

At the height of the storm, the roof of London’s O2 Arena was damaged, causing rapper Dave’s upcoming concert to be postponed, and the tower of St Thomas’ Church in Wells, Somerset, collapsing.

British energy companies have faced criticism after the previous hurricane for being slow to reconnect more isolated properties.

Nearly 1 million homes lost power in November when storms hit northeast England and eastern Scotland.

While electricity was restored to most homes within 48 hours, more than 3,000 homes did not regain access to the grid for a week or more.

The widespread blackout prompted the government to order a utility readiness review.

Strong winds of up to 70mph are expected to hit the UK in the coming days, forecasters have warned.

The Meteorological Office has issued a yellow warning for winds covering much of the UK on Sunday and Monday, after the north of England faced blizzard-like conditions on Saturday afternoon.

Additional information from the Press Association.

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Roderick Gilbert

"Entrepreneur. Internet fanatic. Certified zombie scholar. Friendly troublemaker. Bacon expert."

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