Storm Austen is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, with power cuts, burst pipes, blocked drains and boiler breakdowns likely. If something goes wrong at home, the first few minutes matter. Here is how to stay safe, limit the damage, and when to call a professional.
🚨 Emergency Helpline: 01752 712055
This is the number for every emergency plumbing, electrical or heating problem you may have. We are a local team and we cover all areas. Our engineer will be with you within 50 minutes to 1 hour at most.
Areas Most Affected by the Storm
The strongest winds and heaviest rain are expected in the south-west and along the south coast. Exposed coastal areas could see gusts of up to 70mph, with a risk of power cuts, flying debris and damage to buildings. Heavy rain may also cause flooding and overwhelmed drains further inland.
South-west England: Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay and the surrounding towns across Devon.
South coast: Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Chichester, Worthing and Brighton, towards West Sussex.
We cover all areas, so wherever you are, call 01752 712055.
Main types of Emergencies during storms
1. Electrical Emergencies and Power Cuts
Strong winds and fallen trees can bring down overhead cables, and driving rain can force water into outdoor sockets and fittings.
What to do straight away
- Switch off at the mains if water is coming through a ceiling or wall near sockets, switches or your consumer unit. Only do this if you can reach it without standing in water.
- Stay away from anything wet. Never touch sockets, wiring or appliances that are damp or flooded.
- Use torches, not candles. Candles are a real fire risk during a power cut.
When to call an electrician
Call us on 01752 712055 if your fuse box keeps tripping, you hear buzzing or crackling from the consumer unit, or water has reached any electrical fitting. Electrical faults are not a DIY job.
2. Burst Pipes and Internal Flooding
Heavy rain can overwhelm gutters, loosen roof tiles and cause drains to back up into your home.
What to do straight away
- Turn off the water at the stopcock. Turn it clockwise to stop the flow.
- Contain the leak. Put buckets, bowls and towels under drips to protect floors and carpets.
- Go easy on the water. If outside drains are backing up, avoid flushing toilets or running taps until they clear.
When to call a plumber
If the leak won’t stop, gullies are overflowing or indoor drains are backing up, don’t wait. Call 01752 712055 and our emergency plumbers will bring the jetting and pumping equipment needed to stop the damage spreading, whether you are in Plymouth, Exeter, Cardiff or Brighton.
3. Boiler Shutdowns and Heating Failures
Cold weather puts extra strain on heating systems, and power surges often send modern boilers into automatic lockout.
What to do straight away
- Check the display. Write down any fault code your boiler shows.
- Reset once only. After the power is stable, try a single reset following your manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check the pressure. When the system is cold, it should read between 1.0 and 1.5 bar.
When to call a heating engineer
If the boiler won’t restart, leaks water or keeps losing pressure, stop resetting it, as repeated attempts can damage the control board. Call 01752 712055 and a Gas Safe registered engineer will restore your heating and hot water safely.
Need Help Right Now?
Repairs on a live fuse box, a high-pressure leak or a gas appliance are dangerous at any time, and even more so in a storm.
247 Best Emergency Services is a local team covering all areas, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you need an emergency plumber, a 24/7 electrician or a heating engineer in Plymouth, Exeter, Cardiff, Brighton or anywhere nearby: