Households across 65 areas of the UK are being urged to stockpile AA and AAA batteries before Friday morning in case of power cuts caused by extreme winds as Storm Austen is set to batter the country. The Met Office has issued warnings covering much of the south of England, Wales, and parts of Scotland, with strong winds and rain expected from midnight on Friday.
Weather warnings in place
Much of the south of England and Wales, comprising 38 areas, has been handed a yellow weather warning for strong winds and rain from midnight on Friday until 2pm. Four specific areas have been given a rare amber warning for extreme winds, including Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth. Across 26 areas of Scotland, a yellow weather warning for rain will also bring potential flooding and disruption.
Storm Austen is set to bring travel disruption and a 'danger to life' when it slams across parts of the UK on Friday. The Met Office is now urging households in affected areas to prepare for sudden strong winds, power cuts, and life-threatening conditions forecast from midnight on October 23.
Advice from British Gas
The Met Office warned: "Storm Austen bringing a spell of strong winds with transport disruption likely and possible damaging winds in some areas."
Energy firm British Gas, in its advice on dealing with power cuts, says customers should stockpile three key items. Firstly, torches. A battery-powered or even kinetic (i.e. wind-up) torch is extremely useful in any possible power cut situation. Spare batteries, both AA and AAA and whatever your torch takes, will also come in useful.
A backup charger for mobile phones, such as a battery pack with a cable, would also be advised. The firm added: "You might even consider a battery-powered radio, to keep on top of local updates if you can't use your mobile."
Food and safety tips
And naturally, keep a cupboard stocked with essential foods that you can prepare without electricity. It's easier if you have a gas hob, as you can still cook soups, tinned meats and tinned potatoes on a gas hob, or make porridge. But foods like tinned rice pudding, breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, nuts and seeds, and chocolate, can all be stored and eaten safely in a power cut with no preparation needed if you don't have electricity or gas.
If you do have a power cut, call 105 from your mobile to report it.
The Met Office says about Friday: "Strong west to northwesterly winds will spread across southern parts of England and Wales during Thursday night and into Friday. Gusts of 50-60 mph are likely and some coastal or exposed areas could see 70 mph or more, this more likely over parts of southwest England. Ahead of this, a spell of southerly winds with gusts of 50-60 mph will move east along the south coast of England during Thursday night. Winds will slowly ease during Friday afternoon."
