Weather and environment
Prepare your household for a storm
A storm can affect several essentials at once: electricity, heating, phone connections, transport and access to food or medicine. Prepare while conditions are calm. Start with the warning for your area, then reduce loose outdoor hazards and make a household plan for disruption. Heavy rain and coastal flooding may need separate preparations too.
Published: Updated:
Last checked: 7 November 2026 How we evaluate sources
Read the warning and change plans early
Check the Met Office for the affected area, timing and expected impacts. A storm name is a prompt to pay attention; the local warning tells you what to prepare for. Check flood information if rain, waves or a storm surge could affect you.
Arrange alternatives for essential journeys, school closures and care visits. Check directly with transport operators and follow any advice not to travel. Tell someone if a changed plan affects a person who depends on you.
Make the outside safer before winds arrive
Do not turn last-minute preparation into a fall risk. If the wind is already strong, leave outdoor work and shelter inside.
- Bring in or securely fasten loose garden furniture, toys, bins and other items that could blow around.
- Fasten windows and external doors, including garage doors.
- Park in a garage if available, or away from trees, walls and structures that could fall.
- Arrange professional help for existing roof, chimney or tree hazards while the weather is safe.
Met Office advice on staying safe in a storm (opens in a new tab)
Your household storm checklist
- Charge phones, power banks and any approved backup batteries for medical equipment.
- Put torches, warm layers, medicines and essential contact numbers where you can reach them.
- Know how to contact your electricity network operator if the power fails.
- Check you have accessible food and drinking water for a period of disruption.
- Agree who will contact relatives or neighbours who may need help, and arrange support before travel becomes unsafe.
Shelter during the storm
Stay indoors as much as possible. Do not go outside to retrieve possessions or repair storm damage. Keep away from trees, boundary walls and unstable buildings if you must be outdoors.
Avoid exposed coastal paths and promenades. Large waves can sweep people away even when they are standing on the shore. If an essential journey cannot be delayed, check the route and conditions first; exposed bridges and high roads can be particularly hazardous in crosswinds.
Met Office strong-wind and coastal safety advice (opens in a new tab)
Check safely afterwards
Wait for conditions to improve and follow any continuing restrictions. Look for damage from a safe position on the ground. Trees, walls and roofs may remain unstable after winds ease.
Keep away from fallen or hanging cables, even if they look harmless. Contact the appropriate network operator. Check on people you agreed to support, and ask a qualified professional to assess damage before attempting repairs. Photograph damage only if you can do so safely.
Common questions
Should I secure loose items once the storm has started?
Only prepare outdoors while conditions are safe. During strong winds, stay inside and leave repairs or retrieval until the danger has passed.
What if someone relies on powered medical equipment?
Contact their care team and equipment provider before a forecast storm to agree a power-failure plan. Charge approved backup equipment and keep the plan and contact details accessible.
Make your next step practical
Keep preparing
Evidence and service information
Sources behind this guidance
We develop our guidance using the sources below. Check the named organisation for current service details, live warnings and local instructions. Sources checked 7 November 2026.
- StormsUK Government Be Ready
- Stay safe in a stormMet Office
- Five tips for staying safe in strong windMet Office
- Power cuts and medical equipment planningUK Government Be Ready
- UK weather warningsMet Office