National Grid Electricity Distribution has urged Somerset residents to be ready for potential power cuts as Storm Goretti brings strong winds, heavy rain and snow to the South West.

Locally, it is "likely" that Storm Goretti will bring a spell of strong winds later on Thursday and into Thursday night, which may lead to some disruption, the Met Office say.

However, there is forecast snow in areas like Weston-super-Mare, Bath, Avonmouth, and the outskirts of Wells, with 5-10 cm of snow settling in some areas, and the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground.

Extra engineering and customer service teams are on standby across the county to deal with any damage to the power network. High winds can bring down lines or damage equipment, causing localised outages.

Roisin Quinn, Field Operations Director, said: "Our electricity network is built to be resilient, and we prepare year-round to ensure our teams are ready to respond quickly to any damage caused by Storm Goretti.

"We understand how worrying severe weather can be. That's why our engineers, contact centre staff, and welfare teams are ready to support you, whatever the storm brings."

What to do if your power goes out

The network control centre will be running 24/7 to coordinate rapid responses if supplies are disrupted. Residents who experience a power cut are urged to call 105, the free national electricity emergency number.

National Grid is also reminding people to take simple precautions:

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• Keep a torch and fully charged mobile phone ready
• Use surge protectors for electronics
• Have an external battery pack for recharging devices
• Stock up on non-perishable food
• Check on neighbours, especially the vulnerable
• Sign up for the Priority Services Register for tailored support

For live updates, customers can sign up for severe weather alerts and access advice at powercuts.nationalgrid.co.uk.

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