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| Storm damage: How to stay safe and what to do in a power cut | |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Met Office has issued multiple warnings for thunderstorms covering southern England, Wales and southern Scotland. | |
| Some areas may see torrential downpours of 30-50 mm of rain, which could lead to flash flooding. | |
| Hail, lightning and gusty winds could also cause problems in parts of the country. | |
| How can you prepare and protect your home before a storm hits? | |
| There are a number of steps you can take: | |
| secure any loose objects outside your property such as bins, ladders, trampolines and outdoor games, garden furniture and tools | |
| check fences and roof tiles are secure | |
| clear guttering of debris such as moss and leaves | |
| if possible, remove any loose or overhanging branches | |
| close and fasten external doors and windows | |
| secure storm shutters, if they are fitted to your home or business | |
| park vehicles in a garage, if you have one; otherwise ensure they are as far away as possible from buildings, trees and fences | |
| close and secure loft trapdoors | |
| make sure you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water in case you have to leave your home, for example because of flooding | |
| charge mobile phones and any other critical devices including battery packs | |
| gather essential documents such as passports and driving licences, and make sure you have contact and policy details for your insurance company | |
| if you take medication, make sure you have a few days' supply | |
| If you are in a flood-risk area, try to move valuable or essential items upstairs or store them as high as you can on the ground floor. | |
| Thunderstorm warnings in place as drought declared for millions | |
| Check the UK weather warnings in place | |
| What should you do during a storm? | What should you do during a storm? |
| Strong winds can cause damage to buildings, such as tiles coming off roofs, and heavy rain can lead to flooding. Public transport may be disrupted. | Strong winds can cause damage to buildings, such as tiles coming off roofs, and heavy rain can lead to flooding. Public transport may be disrupted. |
| People are advised to stay inside as much as possible and keep internal doors closed. | People are advised to stay inside as much as possible and keep internal doors closed. |
| Unplug any non-essential electrical items in case of power surges. | |
| If you do have to go out, you should avoid walking next to buildings, trees and the sheltered side of walls or fences, in case of collapse. | If you do have to go out, you should avoid walking next to buildings, trees and the sheltered side of walls or fences, in case of collapse. |
| You should not attempt to repair any damage to your property or possessions while a storm is in progress. | You should not attempt to repair any damage to your property or possessions while a storm is in progress. |
| The RSPCA advises bringing all animals inside and ensuring you have sufficient food, bedding and fresh water. | The RSPCA advises bringing all animals inside and ensuring you have sufficient food, bedding and fresh water. |
| Listen out for bad weather warnings on local radio and TV, and check government and news websites for the latest updates. | Listen out for bad weather warnings on local radio and TV, and check government and news websites for the latest updates. |
| In you become trapped by floodwater, you should go to the highest level of the building you are in. | In you become trapped by floodwater, you should go to the highest level of the building you are in. |
| Avoid attic spaces due to the risk of being trapped by rising water, and only go onto the roof if absolutely necessary. Call 999 and wait for help. | Avoid attic spaces due to the risk of being trapped by rising water, and only go onto the roof if absolutely necessary. Call 999 and wait for help. |
| Met Office: Stay safe in a storm | Met Office: Stay safe in a storm |
| What are my rights if my home, travel and work are affected by storms? | What are my rights if my home, travel and work are affected by storms? |
| What should you do if there is a power cut? | What should you do if there is a power cut? |
| If you lose electricity you make sure all non-essential appliances are switched off, but leave a light on so you know when the supply returns. | |
| You can report a power cut online or by calling 105, which is a free service in England, Scotland and Wales. | You can report a power cut online or by calling 105, which is a free service in England, Scotland and Wales. |
| Alternatively, you can find the details of your energy network operator by using this postcode search tool. | Alternatively, you can find the details of your energy network operator by using this postcode search tool. |
| It may put you on a priority list for assistance if you have medical equipment in your home that needs electricity. | It may put you on a priority list for assistance if you have medical equipment in your home that needs electricity. |
| If you can smell gas and suspect there is a leak in your home, you can report it by ringing 0800 111 999. | If you can smell gas and suspect there is a leak in your home, you can report it by ringing 0800 111 999. |
| Can you drive during weather warnings? | Can you drive during weather warnings? |
| Do not drive unless your journey is unavoidable. | |
| You should steer clear of flooded or exposed routes such as bridges or high open roads. | |
| Flood water can be deceptively deep | |
| If you do have to drive, make sure you have essential supplies such as warm clothing, food, drink, blankets and a torch, and carry a fully-charged phone. | If you do have to drive, make sure you have essential supplies such as warm clothing, food, drink, blankets and a torch, and carry a fully-charged phone. |
| Drive slowly, and be especially cautious around high-sided vehicles and when overtaking. Give other vehicles extra room. | Drive slowly, and be especially cautious around high-sided vehicles and when overtaking. Give other vehicles extra room. |
| Turn on your headlights or use fog lights if visibility is especially poor. | |
| AA: How to drive through deep water, heavy rain and floods | |
| Driving during a weather warning - including the most serious category, red - does not automatically invalidate your car insurance but it may make a claim more difficult. | Driving during a weather warning - including the most serious category, red - does not automatically invalidate your car insurance but it may make a claim more difficult. |
| An insurer might try to prove negligence, such as driving on a road when advised not to, and refuse the claim. | An insurer might try to prove negligence, such as driving on a road when advised not to, and refuse the claim. |
| What should you do after a storm? | What should you do after a storm? |
| Most home building, contents and commercial business policies cover storm damage. | Most home building, contents and commercial business policies cover storm damage. |
| If you have suffered damage to your property or possessions you should: | If you have suffered damage to your property or possessions you should: |
| not do anything that puts you or your household at risk | not do anything that puts you or your household at risk |
| be especially careful around any exposed electrical or telephone cables | be especially careful around any exposed electrical or telephone cables |
| only return to your home or business after a storm when it is safe to do so | only return to your home or business after a storm when it is safe to do so |
| contact your insurance company as soon as possible: most have 24-hour emergency helplines, which can advise on next steps and arrange repairs | contact your insurance company as soon as possible: most have 24-hour emergency helplines, which can advise on next steps and arrange repairs |
| if necessary, arrange temporary emergency repairs to stop any damage getting worse. Tell your insurer and keep receipts, as this will form part of your claim | if necessary, arrange temporary emergency repairs to stop any damage getting worse. Tell your insurer and keep receipts, as this will form part of your claim |
| unless they are dangerous, don't throw away damaged items without discussing it with your insurer, in case they can be repaired | unless they are dangerous, don't throw away damaged items without discussing it with your insurer, in case they can be repaired |
| There is a common misconception that homeowners are responsible for the fences on the left of their property. | There is a common misconception that homeowners are responsible for the fences on the left of their property. |
| In fact there is no general rule about which fence belongs to whom, so homeowners should check their title deeds to see which boundaries they own. | In fact there is no general rule about which fence belongs to whom, so homeowners should check their title deeds to see which boundaries they own. |
| It can take weeks or even months for a property to fully dry out after storm damage, so you may need to wait some time before redecorating. | It can take weeks or even months for a property to fully dry out after storm damage, so you may need to wait some time before redecorating. |