The alert pops up on your phone: a yellow or amber weather warning for wind and rain, starting tonight. You have a busy evening, but you also know that a few minutes of preparation now could save you a flooded kitchen, a dead freezer or a fence in next door’s garden.
The good news is you do not need a whole weekend. This storm preparation checklist breaks everything down into six five-minute jobs, so you can get your home ready in about half an hour.
Set a timer and let’s start.
Before you start: check the warning
Not every warning means the same thing. Take one minute to look at the official forecast for your area on the Met Office weather warnings page. It will tell you:
- The colour of the warning (yellow, amber or red) and how likely the impact is
- What the main risk is, such as wind, rain, snow or ice
- When it starts and ends, so you know how long you have
If heavy rain is forecast, also check whether a flood alert is in place using the government’s check for flooding service. In Scotland, use SEPA’s flood updates instead.
Minutes 0 to 5: secure the outside of your home
Strong winds turn ordinary garden items into missiles. Walk around the outside of your home and deal with anything loose.
- Bring in or tie down garden furniture, parasols and trampolines
- Move bins against a wall or into the garage
- Put plant pots, toys and tools in the shed
- Close and lock windows, doors, sheds and garage doors
- Park your car away from trees, walls and fences if you can
Quick tip: if you have a trampoline you cannot move, turning it upside down lowers the chance of it being lifted by the wind.
Minutes 5 to 10: clear gutters and drains
Most storm flooding we are called out to starts outside. When gutters and drains are blocked, rainwater has nowhere to go but towards your walls, doors and air bricks.
- Clear leaves and debris from outside drain covers and gullies
- Check downpipes are connected and pointing into a drain
- If you can reach gutters safely from the ground, clear any obvious blockages
- Make sure nothing is blocking the drain at the bottom of a driveway or patio
Safety first: never climb a ladder in strong wind or rain. If your gutters are overflowing or a drain keeps backing up, leave it to a professional. Our drainage engineers can clear and inspect blocked drains before the weather turns.
Minutes 10 to 15: know where your shut-off points are
In an emergency, every second counts. If a pipe bursts or water starts coming in, you need to be able to switch things off quickly. Find these now, while it is calm:
- Stopcock (main water valve): usually under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs toilet or where the water pipe enters the house. Turn it clockwise to close. Test it gently. If it is stiff or seized, get it looked at, as it will not help you in an emergency.
- Fuse box (consumer unit): often in a hallway cupboard, under the stairs or in the garage. Know how to switch the main switch off.
- Gas meter valve: next to your gas meter. Turning the handle so it is at a right angle to the pipe shuts off the supply.
If your stopcock will not turn, our plumbing services team can replace it, so you are not caught out when you need it most.
Minutes 15 to 20: prepare for a power cut
Storms are one of the most common causes of power cuts in the UK. A little preparation makes a long, dark evening much easier.
- Charge your phone, laptop and any power banks
- Find torches and spare batteries (avoid candles where possible, as they are a fire risk)
- Turn your fridge and freezer to a colder setting, and keep the doors closed if the power goes
- Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs and computers to protect them from power surges
- Save 105 in your phone. It is the free national power cut number for England, Scotland and Wales
If your power comes back but one circuit keeps tripping, or you notice burning smells, scorch marks or sparking sockets, do not reset it repeatedly. Call a qualified emergency electrician to check it is safe.
Minutes 20 to 25: protect against water getting in
If a flood alert is in place or you live in a low-lying area, take these extra steps:
- Move valuables, important documents and electricals upstairs or onto high shelves
- Fit flood boards or air brick covers if you have them
- Put sandbags or flood sacks across doorways if water is likely to reach your home
- Roll up rugs on the ground floor
- Keep a towel or two by the back door to catch rain blown under it
The government’s guide on how to prepare for flooding has more detail, including how to make a personal flood plan. You can also call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for advice.
Minutes 25 to 30: pack a simple emergency kit
You do not need anything fancy. Put these together in one bag or box that everyone in the house knows about:
- Torch and spare batteries
- Charged power bank and phone cables
- Bottled water and a few snacks
- Basic first aid kit and any essential medication
- Copies of your home insurance policy and emergency numbers
- Warm layers and a blanket
- Battery or wind-up radio
Write down the key numbers on paper too, in case your phone runs out of charge.
Your storm emergency numbers
| What has happened | Who to call |
| Life in danger | 999 |
| Power cut | 105 |
| Smell of gas | 0800 111 999 (National Gas Emergency Service) |
| Flood advice | 0345 988 1188 (Floodline) |
| Burst pipe, leak, blocked drain, electrical fault or boiler breakdown | 020 3318 8667 (24/7 Best Emergency Services) |
During the storm: stay safe indoors
Once the storm arrives, the best thing you can do is stay inside and keep away from windows.
- Do not go outside to fix anything while the wind is strong
- Never touch fallen power lines. Keep well away and call 105
- Avoid walking or driving through floodwater. Just 30cm of fast-flowing water can move a car
- If water enters your home, switch off the electricity at the fuse box, but only if it is safe to reach without standing in water
After the storm: check for damage
When the weather has calmed, take a careful walk around your home and look for:
- Roof and gutter damage: missing tiles, sagging gutters or water marks on ceilings
- Leaks and damp patches: especially around windows, chimneys and the loft
- Drain problems: slow-draining sinks, gurgling toilets or bad smells can mean storm debris has blocked your drains
- Electrical issues: sockets or lights that stopped working, or a fuse box that keeps tripping
- Boiler faults: storms and power cuts can cause a boiler to lock out. If a reset does not fix it, or the condensate pipe has frozen in a cold snap, call an engineer
Take photos of any damage before you tidy up. Your insurer will usually ask for them when you make a claim.
Need help before or after a storm?
Storms do not wait for office hours, and neither do we. 24/7 Best Emergency Services connects you with qualified local engineers across England and Scotland, day and night, including weekends and bank holidays.
Whether it is a burst pipe, a blocked drain, a power fault or a boiler that will not restart, we can help:
Call us now on 020 3318 8667 or request a callback. You can also check our rate guide to see what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to prepare a home for a storm?
For most homes, about 30 minutes is enough to cover the essentials: securing the garden, clearing drains, finding your shut-off points, preparing for a power cut and packing a basic kit.
What is the difference between a yellow, amber and red weather warning?
A yellow warning means some disruption is possible. Amber means there is an increased chance of bad weather affecting you, so you should prepare. Red means dangerous weather is expected and you should take action to protect yourself and your property.
Should I turn off my water before a storm?
Usually not. You only need to turn off the stopcock if a pipe bursts or water is leaking. The key thing is knowing where it is and checking it works before the storm arrives.
What should I do if my drains overflow during heavy rain?
Avoid using sinks, showers and toilets until the water level drops, as this adds more water to the system. Once it is safe, call a drainage engineer to clear the blockage and check for damage.
Can a storm damage my boiler?
Storms can cause power cuts and sudden temperature drops, which may make a boiler lock out or freeze its condensate pipe. Most faults are minor, but if a reset does not work, call a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Does home insurance cover storm damage?
Most buildings and contents policies cover storm damage, but terms vary. Check your policy wording, and remember that insurers may not pay for damage caused by poor maintenance, such as blocked gutters.