The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across large parts of England as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds this week. Experts are urging households to prepare for potential flooding and power cuts by taking simple electrical safety precautions.
Storm Austen and Storm Boelo to Bring Disruption
Storm Austen is expected to affect south-west England on Friday, with an amber warning for wind issued in Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly from 1am. The Met Office has warned of very strong north-westerly winds, which are due to hit 80mph in some areas.
Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England with what the Met Office described as "impactful winds".
Electrical Safety Advice for Households
The Met Office is recommending preparing for possible power cuts, as past storms in 2026 left thousands without power. Experts from NICEIC, the UK's leading certification body for the electrical industry, are urging households to take precautions ahead of potential flooding and power cuts.
Their advice includes switching off the fuse board if flooding is expected, unplugging appliances to avoid surge damage, and avoiding candles during outages.
Paul Collins, technical director of NICEIC, said: "It can be hard to predict the damage caused by a storm, and power cuts happen without warning. If you've lost power, check the power cut is not localised to your house only by looking at your consumer unit (fuse board) for any switches that might be down or off. Reset these switches accordingly."
He added: "Always alert your electricity provider as soon as you experience a power cut in your area. The sooner an engineer is sent out to investigate the cause, the sooner you'll have your power restored."
Steps to Prevent Surge Damage
Collins is also urging people to unplug smaller appliances and electrical equipment if power does go out. Households should also switch off larger appliances, such as electric showers, by using the switches, he added.
He said: "Doing so will prevent any electrical surge damage that may occur when the electricity is eventually restored. Minimise opening your fridge and freezer and consider filling flasks with hot water for food and drink preparation."
He also advised: "Avoid using candles for light and always have a fully charged torch stored somewhere easily accessible. Keep your phone battery for communication not lighting."
