How to prepare for a storm UK households can manage: a calm checklist

Quick checklist

How to prepare for a storm in the UK: before, during and after

Storms in the UK bring wind, heavy rain and sometimes flooding. Most of the disruption is short: a power cut for some hours, a fallen branch, a delayed train. The preparation is the same as for any short power cut, with a few jobs outdoors added.

Know the warning

The Met Office issues weather warnings in three colours. In short, yellow means be aware, amber means be prepared because there may be disruption, and red means take action to keep yourself and others safe. The warning names the area, the hours and the likely impacts, so read those, not just the colour.

Look at the Met Office warnings for your area. If you live near a river, the coast or low ground, check live flood warnings: in England at GOV.UK, in Scotland with SEPA and in Wales with Natural Resources Wales, or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 (England, Scotland and Wales). In Northern Ireland, see nidirect and call the Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100 to report flooding; if anyone is in danger, call 999. Think about how you will get warnings if broadband and mobile data are down. A battery radio is a back-up. Our storm warning checklist is a shorter version for the 24 hours before.

The day before (an hour's work)

1. Outside. Secure or bring in garden furniture, bins, plant pots, a trampoline and anything light that the wind could lift. Close and fix gates and shed doors. Do not climb ladders or go onto roofs in windy weather.
2. Car. If you can, park away from trees, fences and walls that could drop branches or bricks.
3. Power. Charge phones, power banks and any rechargeable lights. Put torches where you can reach them, with spare batteries.
4. Water. Fill two or three clean bottles from the cold tap, put the date on them and store them in a cool cupboard.
5. Food. Make sure you have something you can eat cold. Our power-cut checklist lists the basics.
6. Know your shut-offs. Find your fuse board and stopcock. Our guide to where your stopcock is shows how.
7. Check on neighbours. If someone nearby is older, ill or alone, tell them you are around.

If your flat or house has a gas boiler, gas fire or wood burner, check that you have a working carbon monoxide alarm. A power cut makes some people reach for an unsafe source of heat.

Light and warmth for a storm evening

Light the room with torches and a lantern, never with candles. A battery-powered LED lantern (Retailer link coming soon) lights a whole room, and a head torch (Retailer link coming soon) leaves both hands free for the stairs. Our guide to the best lights for a power cut has more.

For warmth, choose one room, close the door, and add layers and blankets. See how to keep warm in a power cut for the safe options. A battery-powered FM/AM radio (Retailer link coming soon) and a charged high-capacity USB-C power bank (Retailer link coming soon) help you keep up with news and your phone. You do not need either to be ready, so treat them as upgrades.

During the storm

• Stay in. Keep away from windows and glass doors while the wind is strong.
• Do not go out to fix things. A loose fence panel can wait until the wind drops.
• If you must travel, check road, rail and ferry updates first, allow extra time and slow down.
• Never drive or walk through floodwater. It can be deeper and faster than it looks, and it can hide hazards.
• If the power goes, look at your fuse board. If a switch has tripped, switch it back once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a registered electrician. If nothing has tripped, or the street is dark, call 105. Do not touch the supply yourself.
• If someone relies on medical equipment, act early. Our guide to the Priority Services Register explains how to get extra support.

After the storm

• Fallen power lines. Stay well away, treat them as live and call 105. If anyone is in danger, call 999.
• Look from the ground. Check for damage from the ground, not from a ladder or roof. Take photos for your insurer.
• Gas smell. If you smell gas, avoid switches and flames, open windows, leave and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 (Great Britain; Northern Ireland: 0800 002 001) from outside.
• Water. If your supply is affected, use your stored bottles first and contact your water company.
• Neighbours. Check on anyone you were thinking of the day before.

Do this today (free)

1. Read the Met Office warning for your area.
2. Charge every phone and power bank.
3. Test your torches.
4. Fill and date two or three bottles of tap water.
5. Move anything loose in the garden indoors or against a wall.

If you have £10, £25 or £50

These are budgets, not quotes. Prices change, so check the current price first.

• About £10: a torch and spare batteries, plus a head torch if you do not have one.
• About £25: a battery lantern for the main room.
• About £50: a carbon monoxide alarm if the home has none, then a battery radio or a power bank.

Sources and further reading

• Met Office: UK weather warnings
• GOV.UK: check your long term flood risk
• nidirect: check the risk of flooding in your area (Northern Ireland)
• Be ready for emergencies: checklist and household plan
• Be Ready campaign (GOV.UK)