Families across the UK are being urged to prepare seven emergency items before this weekend as a bout of heavy rain and strong winds are forecast.
The Met Office has issued a yellow national severe weather warning for seven regions across northern England, Wales and Scotland, which is in force from 9am on Saturday, September 20, until 6am on Sunday, September 21. Affected regions are being warned to brace for winds of up to 55mph, heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms as a low-pressure weather system moves in from the southwest. Up to 80mm of rain could fall in some areas which could result in flooding, possible power cuts and loss of other services. Ahead of the unsettled weather, families are being urged to prepare an emergency flood kit comprising seven essential items in case of flooding. This includes basic supplies like torches and batters, key documents and phone numbers, as well as water, food and medication.
In its advice on protecting homes from flooding, the Met Office says: “Think about putting together an emergency flood kit with essential items that will help you cope in a flood, including:
- Insurance documents and list of contact numbers
- Torch and spare batteries
- First aid kit and any prescription medicines
- Warm waterproof clothes and blankets
- Bottled water and snacks
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Supplies for looking after your baby or pet
“Make sure that everyone knows where to find this kit and what to do if flooding happens.”
The forecaster said a band of heavy rain will move across Wales, northern England and southern Scotland during Saturday morning, before heading eastwards and eventually clearing early on Sunday.
Around 20 to 40mm of rain is likely to fall quite widely across affected areas, but there is a chance between 60 and 80mm could fall in some places and due to the uncertainty of the conditions, further weather warnings could be issued.
The Met Office added: “Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
“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.
“Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”
The seven regions of the UK that are covered by the yellow weather warning this weekend include:
East Midlands
North East England
- Darlington
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
North West England
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Blackpool
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Lothian
- Scottish Borders
Wales
- Bridgend
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- York