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Never caught out by · Storms

A named storm in the next 24 hours: a calm checklist

A named storm usually means amber or red warnings are expected. You have time. Work through this list once, then get on with your day.

Last checked 1 November 2026Applies across the UK

The day before

  • Read the latest Met Office warning for your area and check for flood alerts if you live near a river or the coast.
  • Bring in or tie down garden furniture, bins, trampolines, ladders, toys and plant pots.
  • Park in a garage if you have one, or away from buildings, trees, walls and fences.
  • Check what you will need if the power goes off: torch and spare batteries, battery or wind-up radio, charged power bank, and the number 105 (03457 643643 in Northern Ireland).
  • If someone depends on powered medical equipment, charge backup batteries and check their plan. Tell your network operator if you are on the Priority Services Register.
  • Ask older or less mobile neighbours if they need anything picked up, such as food or medicines.
  • Check whether schools or your workplace are planning changes, and whether your journey is still needed.

The evening before

  • Close and fasten doors and windows, especially on the side facing the wind, and large doors such as garage doors.
  • Close and bolt loft hatches.
  • If a chimney stack is tall or in poor condition, move beds away from the area directly beneath it.
  • Charge phones overnight.
  • Put the torch by your bed.

During the storm

  • Stay indoors if you can. If you must go out, keep away from buildings, walls, fences and trees.
  • Use doors on the sheltered side of the house, and keep internal doors closed.
  • Do not try to repair damage while the storm is still going.
  • Avoid driving if you can. If you must, take care on exposed roads and bridges, especially in a high-sided vehicle or when towing.
  • Keep well back from the sea front, harbour walls and cliff edges.
Power lines

Keep well away from fallen or damaged power lines and keep others away. Report them on 105 (03457 643643 in Northern Ireland), or call 999 if there is immediate danger.

Carbon monoxide warning

Never use a barbecue, camping stove, patio heater or generator indoors, or in a garage, tent, porch or caravan awning. They give off carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas you cannot see, smell or taste. Fit an audible CO alarm marked EN 50291 (look for the BSI Kitemark) in rooms with fuel-burning appliances.

Headache, dizziness, feeling sick, tiredness, confusion and breathlessness can be signs of CO poisoning. Get into fresh air straight away. Call 999 if someone is seriously unwell, or NHS 111 for advice. If you suspect a leak, call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999 (0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland). NHS advice on carbon monoxide.

After the storm

  • Do not touch electrical or phone cables that are down or hanging loose.
  • Keep away from walls, buildings and trees that may have been weakened.
  • Photograph any damage before you tidy up, for your insurer.
  • Check on neighbours.
  • If your power was off for a long time, you may be owed compensation.

Official sources we used

  1. Storms (Be Ready, UK Government)
  2. Weather warnings and advice (Met Office)
  3. Weather warnings guide (Met Office)
  4. Report a power cut (Energy Networks Association (powercut105.com))
  5. Power cuts and outages (NIE Networks)
  6. The Priority Services Register (thepsr.co.uk (energy and water industry))

We link to official pages so you can check the latest advice yourself. If something here differs from what an official source says now, follow the official source. Where we quote or adapt official text, it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.