Adverse Weather

Many of the recent emergencies that the UK has faced have been related to adverse weather conditions. This has included flooding, gales, snow, freezing conditions and heat waves. The result of these incidents has resulted in people being evacuated from their homes, being stranded in freezing conditions and additional deaths due to heat waves. Weather is therefore something for us all to take seriously as we go about our daily business.

The information provided here should help with advice and also where to find additional useful information regarding dealing with adverse weather.

The Met Office will put out warnings regarding severe weather and this can be found on their website click here, and can be heard on the radio and TV.

The information from the Met Office includes Regional Flash Warnings of Severe or Extreme weather that is expected to cause immediate disruption. Advance warnings are issued when severe weather is expected to cause widespread disruption over the next few days.

The Met Office gives some very useful advice about measures that can be taken before, during and after periods of most types of severe weather - click here for further information.

Keep Warm Keep Well is a national campaign to reduce cold-related illness and deaths during the winter. You can download the guides (in pdf) below giving advice about how to stay well in winter by keeping warm and what financial support is available. Click here to view the Directgov guidance and financial advice page.

Guide for people over 60 (pdf, 199kb)
guide for families (pdf, 188kb)
guide for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions (pdf 196kb)

The National Health Service offer many services and information to combat and deal with the adverse affects to our health brought on during the cold winter months click here.

Snow and freezing conditions

The climate in the South East is such that we rarely experience heavy snow falls, but frosty and freezing conditions can make our roads and pathways treacherous.

Preparation

You can prepare for adverse weather emergencies by putting together an emergency pack for your home and another for your car, and by having grit, salt or cat litter ready to put on your paths and driveways.

Household salt is available to buy at supermarkets and ground rock salt is available to buy at most hardware stores.

To stay up to date with the weather conditions and their impacts across the county stay tuned in – regularly check the TV news, teletext, your local BBC website, local radio and newspapers for the latest information.

Handy tips to keep warm are; make sure you have hot meals and drinks regularly, close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in, if you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed, use a hot water bottle or electric blanket at night, but never use both together.
The Met Office gives advice on actions to be considered in heavy snow and ice together with a link to travel information click here.

Storms and Gales

How to protect yourself and your property in the event of a major storm.

The two main dangers of a winter storm are exposure to the cold and car accidents. The best way to survive a storm is to plan ahead and keep yourself out of danger by staying at home. Watch or listen to reliable weather reports and heed the advice being broadcast.

Preparation to consider before a storm

• Ensure that your property and possessions are insured.
• Have emergency provisions ready, bottled water and food items that do not rely on a freezer/refrigerator.
• Prepare an emergency kit including batteries, torches, matches, candles, mobile phone battery charger/s and battery operated radio.
• Ensure that any mobile phones are fully charged.
• Prepare a first aid kit and ensure any medication needs are sufficiently stocked.
• Secure outdoor items and store away if possible.
• Bring pets indoors or secure their shelter.
• Secure doors and windows and check curtains can be pulled to protect against cold or broken glass.
• Listen to weather warnings and forecasts.
• Unplug non essential electrical items.
• Ensure fuel stocks are sufficient for heating.

During the storm

• Stay indoors, away from windows and downstairs, if possible.
• If power and heating fails, close off unused portions of the property and remain in the warmest room. If using temporary heating be sure to ventilate the room properly.
• Listen to radio station, television or internet for weather updates.

After the storm

• If your property has been damaged during the storm inform the appropriate utility company if your supply has been cut off.
• Make arrangements for essential repairs to be done.
• contact emergency services if anyone is seriously injured .
• Check on family and any neighbours.

The Met Office website offers advice on being prepared and protecting your property against forecasted severe gales.