Households across the UK are being urged to prepare emergency kits containing seven essential items as the Met Office issues multiple weather warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms. Three separate yellow warnings for thunderstorms are in force across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and large parts of England and Wales on Friday, with the public warned to brace for possible flash flooding and power cuts.
Warnings in Effect
All three warnings came into effect at midnight and while the warnings end at 10am in Northern Ireland and parts of England and Wales, the warning for Scotland remains in force until 23.59pm. According to the Met Office, spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms in Scotland are likely to become more widespread during Friday morning, with further bouts of heavy rain possible in the afternoon.
In Scotland, between 20 and 30mm of rainfall is expected to fall in one hour, with the potential for up to 50mm falling in a three-hour period. This will be accompanied by frequent lightning, large hail (2-4 cm diameter), and gusty winds.
Essential Items for the Emergency Kit
Households in warning areas are urged to prepare for the unsettled weather by putting together a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. The Met Office advises including the following seven items:
- Insurance documents and a list of contact numbers
- Torch and spare batteries
- First aid kit and any prescription medicines
- Warm waterproof clothes and blankets
- Bottled water and snacks
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Supplies for looking after your baby or pet
The Met Office states: “Think about putting together an emergency flood kit with essential items that will help you cope in a flood. Make sure that everyone knows where to find this kit and what to do if flooding happens.”
Areas Covered by Warnings
Yellow thunderstorm warnings until 10am Friday cover the East Midlands, London & South East England, North East England, North West England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber, and Northern Ireland. Specific areas include Derby, Nottingham, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Bristol, Devon, Cardiff, Swansea, Birmingham, Leeds, and all counties in Northern Ireland.
The warning for Scotland remains in place until 23.59pm and covers Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, Orkney & Shetland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde. This includes cities such as Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness.
Residents are advised to stay updated via the Met Office and local authorities, and to take precautions to protect property and personal safety.
