After a week of severe storms and flooding, the UK Government has urged households to prepare for potential weather emergencies, and a three-day stockpile of food and water for a family of four costs £47.57.
Storm Austen and Storm Boelo battered the UK over the weekend, and a yellow wind warning from the Met Office remains in place for Scotland until 9pm tonight (Oct 27). The storms come amid concerns that the looming El Niño event could be the largest on record, putting the world under pressure from extreme weather.
Government advice and rising sales
El Niño is a climate phenomenon occurring every two to seven years when temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5C above the long-term average, influencing global weather patterns. With rising sea temperatures linked to El Niño expected to continue until February 2027, the UK Government has advised Brits to prepare now for a weather emergency.
Retailers report a dramatic increase in sales of essential goods, including tinned food, wind-up radios, torches and bottled water. The rise follows Defence Secretary Wes Streeting's urging people to stockpile goods. The government's Be Ready Campaign says households should have three days' worth of supplies.
Cost of a three-day stockpile
According to EODSurvival's guide, stockpiling items should include a mix of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Based on a family of four (two adults and two children), a three-day shopping list from ASDA totals £47.57. The recommended amount of water per person is 4 litres per day.
The shopping list includes: Classic Cream Crackers 300g (£0.49), ASDA Fruit and Nut Seed Mix 200g (£1.78), ASDA Cornflakes 500g (£1.15), Jordan Granola Thins Snack Bars (£2.50), Tinned Peach Slices 213g x4 (£3.16), ASDA Essentials Tuna Chunks in Brine (£1.18), ASDA Cured Chicken Breast (£4.20), Heinz Baked Beans 4 x 200g (£2.75), ASDA Hearty Veg Soup x4 (£2.36), Fusilli Pasta 500g (£0.75), ASDA Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake 500g (£0.79), Long Grain Brown Rice 1kg (£2.64), ASDA Skimmed Milk Powder 340g (£3.45), Snack Size Chocolate Bars 8 x 22g (£1.65), and Bottled Still Water 2L x24 (£18.72).
In addition to food and drink, the government has advised Brits to be aware of appropriate supplies, escape routes and emergency contacts. An entire emergency kit list is available online.
