Residents rally amid persisting power outages

Thousands of residents in Devon and Cornwall remain without electricity following the devastation caused by Storm Darragh, the BBC reports.

In its latest update on Tuesday morning, National Grid said 3,332 properties in Devon and 626 in Cornwall were still cut off. Efforts to restore power have been hampered by challenging weather conditions, fallen trees due to the storm's strong winds are the main cause of ongoing supply issues.

A National Grid spokesperson said, "The region bore the brunt of the awful conditions caused by Storm Darragh," adding that significant progress had already been made, with power restored to more than 1.5 million properties since the storm struck. 

Matt Turner from National Grid acknowledged the frustration of affected residents but praised their patience. "Repair teams are out there all hours in dreadful weather," he said, noting that eligible customers who experienced outages longer than 24 hours may receive compensation payments automatically. 

In North Devon, resident Aimee Jarvis described the isolation of being without power since early Saturday. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, she said, "There's not much signal down here, so you're just sat in the dark... It’s quite lonely." Despite the hardship, she recognised the challenges faced by others, particularly families with young children and elderly residents enduring the cold. 

Meanwhile, businesses have also faced setbacks. The Hartland Quay Hotel sustained roof damage but owner Donal Stafford expressed gratitude for the community's resilience. Similarly, The Barnstaple Hotel suffered significant damage, with its roof completely ripped off. Director Peter Brend described the clean-up effort as "mammoth," requiring cranes, scaffolders, and electricians to restore the property. 

Amid the disruption, local communities have rallied together. Tavistock’s TJ's & LJ's Fish and Chips offered free hot drinks and charging stations, while Broadclyst Parish Council opened its village hall for those affected by power cuts. Other businesses, like the Portsmouth Arms Hotel in Umberleigh, provided cooking facilities and showers to residents in need. 

Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, brought widespread disruption to the South West. Rail services between Exeter St David's and Barnstaple remained suspended, and damage forced road closures, including Exeter’s John Lewis junction. 

BBC meteorologist David Braine linked the storm's intensity to climate change, noting that higher sea temperatures across the Atlantic contributed to the deep low-pressure system. "Deep and rapidly intensifying areas of low pressure are becoming more frequent as a consequence of global warming," he explained. 

As clean-up efforts continue, the community spirit across Devon and Cornwall shines as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.