Met Office weather forecasters say Brits living in 64 areas might want to consider gathering essential supplies to stay safe as thunderstorms could batter the UK for 15 hours today
The Met Office says people living in 64 areas across England and Wales might want to consider preparing an ’emergency’ kit as a yellow thunderstorm warning is in place.
Met Office forecasters are advising people to gather torches, batteries, and mobile phone power packs, alongside any other essential supplies, to stay safe if electricity is disrupted. The warning came into force at 2am and is in place until 5pm.
Some areas could experience 30 to 60 millimetres of rain in just an hour. Slow-moving showers may lead to localised surface water flooding, while hail and lightning present additional hazards that could cause further disruption.
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Residents in the affected areas should prepare for the possibility of power cuts, which could temporarily leave homes and businesses without electricity. The Met Office says this may affect not only lighting and heating but also services such as communications, appliances, and emergency systems.
It said: “People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
The Met Office also said Brits can prepare an emergency flood kit and ensure objects around their property are well secured. “Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit,” it said.
“Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences.”
Regions and local authorities affected by Met Office warning
East Midlands
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- Leicester
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
East of England
North East England
- Darlington
- Durham
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Stockton-on-Tees
North West England
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
South West England
- Gloucestershire
- South Gloucestershire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Kingston upon Hull
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- York