Formby hit with total blackout for almost two hours affecting hundreds of homes and businesses

At 5:30pm tonight, Saturday 9th December, a power cut hit Formby causing a total complete blackout with hundreds of homes and businesses being plunged into total darkness. There were no phones, no internet and no contact with anyone outside of Formby.

There were no trains as they were stuck on the track and had to be terminated at Sandhills due to loss of power. The level crossings were stuck on closed. Traffic backed up everywhere with people rushing out to get candles not knowing how long it was going to last.

Scottish Power issued a statement:

The following information is for customers from the L37 postcode area of Liverpool ONLY.

We had no advance warning of the power cut and only became aware of it at 5:29PM. Our control centre will attempt to reset the network remotely to restore power in stages, and we will also send our next available engineer to attend site. Our team will work to get your power back on as quickly and as safely as possible. Please speak with us if you are aware of any damage to the network or if this information does not apply to you. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

The power was restored at 7pm.

A Formby resident said: "Honestly, the people of Formby really do come together! Neighbours knocking on each others doors seeing if they were okay. People checking on the elderly. People still going to businesses and paying with cash, restaurants using candles and carrying on for their customers."

"My daughter works in Don Luigi's and she stayed to look after the customers and staff stayed calm and carried on making it fun for everyone in there. Well done Formby!"

We still aren't sure what caused the blackout but maybe Storm Elin had something to do with it. Storm Elin hit Formby around 4pm this afternoon and caused numerous trees to be blown down and blocked roads on St.Lukes Church Road and on Crown Close.

Formby Hall Golf Club & Spa have issued this statement: