The Met Office has issued amber weather alerts for most of Scotland and other parts of the UK as Storm Boelo batters the country this weekend (October 24 and 25). In its advice, weather experts claim that having a stock of one item may help people "cope better": batteries.
Some people will have a stash of batteries somewhere at home for the odd time that something needs fixing or replacing. But the Met Office has urged millions of people to stock up and be prepared after issuing a weather warning for the stormy conditions.
Storm Boelo's Expected Impact
The strongest winds from Storm Boelo are expected from Saturday evening and extend eastwards through Sunday, the Met Office has forecast. With winds reaching speeds of up to 80mph in some areas, there is the chance of power cuts.
As such, the Met Office is urging households to prepare by ensuring they have a few key supplies on hand should the worst happen. The website claims: "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do—consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack, and other essential items."
Preparation and Warnings
Some parts of the UK will already be under a warning for rain or wind until 9pm tonight (October 23) as Storm Austin sweeps across parts of Scotland, England and all of Wales. The next alert comes into force as early as 10am in parts on Saturday (October 24) and lasts until Sunday (October 25).
They said: "Storm Boelo will bring a very windy and wet spell this weekend with some disruption likely across parts of northern UK. The strongest winds from Storm Boelo are expected from Saturday evening and extend eastwards through Sunday."
Risks and Travel Advice
The Met Office has warned that strong winds could bring flying debris, with a risk of injuries and, in some cases, danger to life. There is also a good chance of power cuts, which may affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.
Some damage to buildings and trees is likely, including roof tiles being blown off and large branches, or even whole trees, coming down. Disruption is also expected on the transport network, with longer journey times and cancellations possible across road, rail, air and ferry services. Some roads and bridges may also be forced to close.
Drivers are urged to take extra care, as conditions can be dangerous. If travel is essential, the Met Office advises slowing down to reduce the impact of gusts, watching out for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes, being cautious when overtaking, and giving cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual.
