Extreme weather: storm, flood and heatwave checklists

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Read the warning first

The Met Office issues yellow, amber and red warnings based on how much impact the weather may have and how likely that is. Yellow warnings vary a lot, so read each one. Amber means you should think about changing your plans and protecting yourself and your property. Red means dangerous weather is expected: take action now to keep safe, avoid travel where possible and follow the emergency services. Be Ready says pay extra attention when the Met Office names a storm.

Storm checklist

Before

• Check the forecast and warnings, or set alerts in the Met Office app (Be Ready)
• Charge phones, power banks and back-up batteries for medical equipment (Be Ready)
• Know who your electricity network is and save 105 to report a power cut (Be Ready)
• Secure ladders, trampolines, garden furniture and toys (Met Office, Be Ready)
• Close and fasten doors and windows, especially on the side facing the wind, and garage doors (Met Office)
• Bolt the loft hatch if your roof pitch is under 30° (Met Office)
• Park the car in a garage, or away from buildings, trees, walls and fences (Met Office)
• If a tall chimney stack is in poor condition, move beds from underneath it (Met Office)
• Check on neighbours who may need help (Be Ready)

During

• Stay indoors as much as you can (Met Office)
• Use doors on the sheltered side, and close internal doors behind you (Met Office)
• Don't go outside to repair damage while the storm is still going on (Met Office)
• If you must go out, keep away from buildings, trees and the sheltered side of walls and fences: if they fail, they fall that way (Met Office)
• Keep well away from fallen power lines: high voltage can jump gaps (Be Ready)
• Only drive if you really have to (Met Office)

After

• Don't touch fallen or hanging cables (Met Office, Be Ready)
• Keep away from walls, buildings and trees that may be weakened (Met Office)
• Check vulnerable neighbours and relatives are safe (Met Office)

Flood checklist

Before (if you live in a flood risk area)

• Check your long-term flood risk and sign up for flood warnings (Be Ready)
• Make a personal flood plan (Environment Agency)
• Pack a grab bag: medicines, first aid kit, documents, torch, bottled water, warm waterproof clothes, baby items (Be Ready). See our go bag checklist
• Put documents in resealable waterproof bags, and move valuables upstairs or high up (Be Ready)
• Find your stop tap, gas valve (by the meter) and main electricity switch (on the fuse board) (Be Ready)
• Check your home insurance covers flooding (Be Ready)

When a flood warning is issued

• Turn off gas, electricity and water if it's safe. Never touch an electrical switch while standing in water (Be Ready)
• Move family, pets, cars and important items upstairs or to higher ground (Be Ready)
• Charge your phone (Environment Agency)
• Use flood barriers or air brick covers if you have them (Be Ready)
• Leave if you're told to: delaying puts you and rescuers at risk (Be Ready)
• Never walk or drive through flood water: driving through it is the number one cause of death in floods (Be Ready)
• Report severe river or coastal flooding in England on 0800 80 70 60 (Be Ready)

After

• Don't go into flood water unless you must; it can be deeper than it looks and hide open manholes (Be Ready)
• Wash hands well after touching flood water or anything it touched (Be Ready)
• Photograph the damage and mark water levels on the wall before they go down (Be Ready)
• Get your insurer's approval before repairs, and don't throw things away until told to (Be Ready)
• If you can't live at home, ask your council for emergency accommodation (Be Ready)

Heatwave checklist

Before

• Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke (Be Ready, NHS)
• Check fridges, freezers and fans work, and the heating is off (Be Ready)
• Think about shading sun-facing windows with blinds, shutters or awnings (Be Ready)
• Watch for Met Office warnings and UKHSA Heat-Health Alerts (Be Ready)

During

• Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm (Be Ready, NHS)
• Close windows, curtains and blinds in the day; open them when it's cooler outside, such as at night (NHS)
• Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35°C (NHS)
• Drink plenty; avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks (NHS)
• Never leave babies, children, older people or pets in a parked car (Be Ready)
• Check on older neighbours and anyone living alone (Be Ready, NHS)

If someone has heat exhaustion

The NHS says: move them somewhere cool, remove unnecessary clothing, give them plenty of water, and cool their skin with cool water and a fan. They should feel better within 30 minutes. Call 999 if they don't, or if they have signs of heatstroke: a very high temperature, hot skin without sweating, fast breathing, confusion, a fit or loss of consciousness.

If the power goes off too

Storms, floods and heat can all cause power cuts. Be Ready says keep a torch (safer than candles), a battery or wind-up radio, and 3 days of water and food that needs no cooking. See how to charge your phone in a power cut and how to keep warm without power.

Related guides

• Extreme weather in the UK: heatwaves, storms, floods and wildfires
• Storm and flood preparation in the UK
• Heatwave at home: keeping your home and people cool and safe
• Flood alerts and flood warnings: what each level means and what to do
• What to do after a flood: a calm, step-by-step guide

Free tools

• Storm tracker 2026/27 (live Met Office warnings)
• Power cuts, floods and weather warnings near me

We're an independent UK site, not the government. We check guides against official sources and link to them. In an emergency call 999.

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