The short answer
Stay indoors as much as you can. The Met Office says lightning can cause power surges, so unplug non-essential appliances unless they're on a surge protector, and avoid the landline unless it's an emergency. Outside, get into an enclosed shelter such as a car, away from trees. If the power goes off, report it free on 105.
Prints the checklist without the menus.
Stay indoors as much as you can. The Met Office says lightning can cause power surges, so unplug non-essential appliances unless they're on a surge protector, and avoid the landline unless it's an emergency. Outside, get into an enclosed shelter such as a car, away from trees. If the power goes off, report it free on 105.
Do this now
- Read the warning. The Met Office says each warning has a "What to expect" section. Amber warnings can mean power cuts are possible.
- Charge your phone and power bank. GOV.UK Be Ready says do this before a storm.
- Find your torch and spare batteries.
- Unplug non-essential appliances if they're not on a surge protector (Met Office).
- Bring in or tie down loose garden items, such as trampolines, bins and furniture.
- Plan to stay in. The Met Office says stay indoors as much as possible.
Free: the Alert Action Card
The first six steps for a nuclear or radiation alert, a missile or air attack alert, no water from the tap and a power cut, on one page for the fridge, plus a phone version you can open offline. Every step checked against GOV.UK, UKHSA and Be Ready on 3 November 2026. No sign-up needed.
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Inside the house during a thunderstorm
The Met Office gives two clear points for indoors:
- Unplug non-essential appliances. Lightning can cause power surges. Unplug anything you don't need, unless it's already on a surge protector. For what a surge can do to a TV or computer, see can a power cut damage your TV or PC?
- Avoid the landline. Telephone lines can conduct electricity. Only use the landline in an emergency.
Be Ready also says don't go outside to repair storm damage while the storm is still going on. Wait until it has passed.
Outside: lightning safety
The Met Office says lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the centre of a storm. If you can hear thunder, you are already within range.
If you're outside when a storm starts:
- Get into a safe, enclosed shelter. A car counts.
- Don't shelter under trees, or walk or shelter near buildings and trees in the open.
- Move off hills, ridges and peaks to lower ground.
- Get off open water and back to shore.
- Drop metal items such as umbrellas, bikes and fishing rods.
- Stop golf, rod fishing and boating.
- Avoid basements, underpasses and car parks, which can flood quickly.
Caught in the open with nowhere to go? The Met Office says squat low with your hands on your knees and your head tucked in. Touch the ground as little as possible. Don't lie flat.
In a car? Wind up the windows and stay inside. The Met Office says soft-top convertibles are most at risk, and metal handles, pedals and the steering wheel can carry current. If hail is severe, pull over somewhere safe and stay in the car.
If someone is struck, the Met Office says lightning can cause severe burns and affect the heart. Call 999.
If the thunderstorm causes a power cut
GOV.UK Be Ready and the Met Office say:
- Check your neighbours. If they have power and you don't, your trip switch may have tripped (Met Office).
- Report it. Call 105 free in England, Scotland and Wales, or report it online to your network operator. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643 (Be Ready). Don't assume they already know.
- Switch off irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers, so they're not a hazard when the power comes back.
- Unplug your TV and PC. Be Ready says a surge when power returns can damage them.
- Leave one light switched on so you know when the power is back (Met Office).
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Be Ready says they will stay cold for several hours.
- Use torches, not candles. Be Ready says torches are safer.
Our first 10 minutes of a power cut has the full step-by-step list.
Fallen power lines
Be Ready says if you see power lines that are down or damaged, keep as far away as possible. Electricity at high voltage can jump gaps with no warning. After the storm, don't touch any electrical or telephone cables that have blown down or are hanging. Stay away from walls, buildings and trees that may have been weakened.
Thunderstorms and asthma
Be Ready says thunderstorm activity has been linked to more people reporting asthma symptoms. Keep reliever inhalers where you can find them in the dark.
The NHS says in an asthma attack, sit upright and stay as calm as you can. With a blue reliever inhaler, take 1 puff every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs. Call 999 if symptoms get worse, don't improve after the maximum dose, or you don't have an inhaler.
If you need extra help in a power cut
Be Ready says the Priority Services Register is free and helps people with additional needs during a power cut. Sign up through your energy supplier. See our Priority Services Register guide. For what to do when any weather warning lands, see severe weather warning: the first 10 minutes.
What to buy
About these links: plain links to ordinary retailer pages. We may earn from some links in future; we don't now. We haven’t tested these and we don’t rank them: they are examples that were in stock when we checked. Prices change. Check what you already own first. Full kit list
Torch or head torch, plus spare batteries
Look for: Runs on the same AA or AAA batteries as your other kit, so one spare pack covers everything. A head torch leaves both hands free.
- Alpkit Ionic 350 Lumen Head Torch · Alpkit · £15.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Intensity 155 LED Head Torch · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £19.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Alpkit Kula 550 Lumen Head Torch · Alpkit · £19.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Intensity 480 LED Hand Torch · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £29.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Dynamo Powered Wind-Up Pocket LED Torch · EVAQ8 · £3.60 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
Spare batteries
Look for: The sizes your torch, radio and alarms take. Check the date on the pack.
Power bank
Look for: From a seller you know. Check the capacity (mAh) against your phone, and that you have the right cable for each phone. Keep it charged.
Battery or wind-up FM radio
Look for: FM (Be Ready asks for FM; DAB as well is fine). Both a crank and ordinary batteries, so you have two ways to power it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I unplug things during a thunderstorm?
The Met Office says lightning can cause power surges, so unplug any non-essential appliances if you're not already using a surge protector. GOV.UK Be Ready also says unplug your TV and PC in a power cut, because a surge when the power comes back can damage them.
Is it safe to use the phone in a thunderstorm?
The Met Office says telephone lines can conduct electricity, so try to avoid using the landline unless it's an emergency.
Where should I go if I'm outside in a thunderstorm?
The Met Office says get into a safe, enclosed shelter such as a car, and don't shelter under trees or near buildings in the open. Move off hills and ridges to lower ground, get off open water, and drop metal items such as umbrellas, bikes and fishing rods.
What if I'm caught in the open with nowhere to shelter?
The Met Office says squat low with your hands on your knees and your head tucked in, touching the ground as little as possible. Don't lie flat on the ground.
Is a car safe in lightning?
The Met Office says wind up the windows and stay inside your car. It says soft-top convertibles are most at risk, and that metal handles, pedals and the steering wheel can carry current.
Who do I call if a thunderstorm causes a power cut?
GOV.UK Be Ready says report it online to your network operator or call 105, free, in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643. The Met Office says don't assume your network already knows: report it.
Can thunderstorms affect asthma?
GOV.UK Be Ready says thunderstorm activity has been linked to more people reporting asthma symptoms. Keep your reliever inhaler to hand. The NHS says call 999 in an asthma attack if symptoms get worse, don't improve after the maximum puffs, or you have no inhaler.
Sources
We opened each page on the date shown. Official advice changes: if a source says something different now, follow the source.
- Met Office: Stay safe in thunder and lightning (read 3 November 2026)
- Met Office: 3 tips for staying safe in lightning (read 3 November 2026)
- Met Office: 5 tips for staying safe in a thunderstorm (read 3 November 2026)
- Met Office: What to do in a power cut (read 3 November 2026)
- Met Office: Weather warnings guide (read 3 November 2026)
- GOV.UK Be Ready: Storms (read 3 November 2026)
- GOV.UK Be Ready: Power cuts (read 3 November 2026)
- NHS: Asthma attack (read 3 November 2026)
Related guides
- Power cut kit: what to keep in one box, and how long power cuts last
- Storm and flood preparation in the UK
- Priority Services Register: a plain guide
- Storm damage to your home: what to do first
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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