Storm warning checklist: what to do in the 24 hours before

Quick checklist

Understand the Met Office warnings

The Met Office issues weather warnings for the UK, coloured yellow, amber or red. In plain words:

• Yellow: the weather could cause some disruption. Be aware, and keep an eye on updates.
• Amber: disruption is more likely, with possible risk to life and property. Think about changing plans and take steps to stay safe.
• Red: dangerous weather is expected. Take action to keep yourself and others safe, and follow official advice.

The colour reflects both how likely the weather is and how much it could affect people. Read the warning itself for the area, timing and likely effects. The warnings are at metoffice.gov.uk.

Storm warning checklist: 24 hours before

Start with information.

1. Check the warning and the forecast. Note the start and end times for your area.
2. Check travel. If you must travel, check road, rail, bus and ferry updates before you set off. Think about whether the journey can wait. If you are asked to avoid travel, take that seriously.
3. Check flood warnings. In England, use GOV.UK check for flooding. In Scotland, use SEPA. In Wales, use Natural Resources Wales. In Northern Ireland, call the Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100 to report flooding; for danger to life call 999. Floodline is 0345 988 1188 and covers England, Scotland and Wales. Consider signing up to warnings for your address.
4. Plan for the people in your home. Who needs medicines, warmth or equipment that uses power? Our power cut checklist helps.

12 hours before

Now get the house and garden ready.

1. Secure the garden. Bring in or tie down bins, furniture, trampolines and plant pots. Lay a loose fence panel flat if you can, and close and secure the shed door. Take care with ladders; do not climb up on a roof or tree to secure anything.
2. Check gutters and drains you can reach from the ground, and clear leaves.
3. Park with care. Keep cars away from trees, walls and fences where you can.
4. Check your stopcock and fuse box. Know where they are and make sure you can reach them. Our guide on where your stopcock is helps. Never do DIY work on a gas or electrical supply.

Charge and light

1. Charge phones and power banks. A 10,000 mAh power bank (Retailer link coming soon) gives a phone a few top-ups. Charge it before the storm and keep it in your kit.
2. Charge rechargeable lights. A rechargeable work light (Retailer link coming soon) lights a room.
3. Find torches and test them. A head torch (Retailer link coming soon) leaves your hands free. Keep spare batteries beside it.
4. Put a battery radio where you can reach it. A battery-powered radio (Retailer link coming soon) brings updates when the power and broadband are out.
5. Use torches, not candles. Candles are a fire risk.

Water, food and warmth

Fill clean containers with tap water. Tap water in clean, food-grade containers is the default, and Be Ready suggests 3 litres per person per day. Fill a few before the storm in case supply is affected. Keep them somewhere a leak will not hurt.

Check you have food you can eat without cooking, and a manual tin opener. Eat fresh food first and keep fridge and freezer doors shut in a power cut. Follow Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidance on use-by dates, which are about safety.

For warmth, find blankets and warm layers. A hot-water bottle with a cover (Retailer link coming soon) is a cheap option. Our guide to keeping warm in a power cut has more.

Check on neighbours

Knock on the door or send a message to anyone who may find a storm hard: older neighbours, people living alone, anyone who relies on power for health reasons. Offer your number. Ask if they have a torch, charged phone and a plan. Do not enter their home without an invitation.

During the storm

• Stay indoors where you can, away from windows.
• Do not walk or drive through floodwater. It can be deeper and faster than it looks, and may hide hazards.
• Do not go outside to check on damage until the wind has eased.
• Treat any fallen power line as live. Stay well away and keep others back. Call 105 to report it. If anyone is in danger, call 999.
• Call 105 for a power cut. You can also register with your supplier for help if you rely on power.
• Check on neighbours again when it is safe to do so.

If the power goes off

Switch off and unplug sensitive appliances, leaving one light on so you see when power returns. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. Use torches, not candles. Do not run a generator, camping stove, barbecue or gas heater indoors. Our power cut checklist helps.

Do this today (free)

1. Check the Met Office warning for your area.
2. Charge your phone and any power banks.
3. Fill a few clean containers with tap water.
4. Bring loose garden items inside.
5. Send a message to a neighbour.

If you have £10, £25 or £50

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

• About £10: spare batteries and a hot-water bottle with a cover.
• About £25: add a head torch or a plain torch for each room.
• About £50: add a power bank and a battery radio.

Sources and further reading

• Met Office weather warnings and advice
• Check your long term flood risk (GOV.UK)
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Be ready for emergencies: checklist and household plan
• Priority Services Register