Skip to content

Weather Ready

Published
Are you ready for the weather this winter?

Whilst Gloucestershire thankfully escaped the worse from recent Storm Babet and Storm Ciarán, it is a timely reminder that severe weather can happen quickly and cause disruption to our families, homes and communities. Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring can make a difference. 

Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum partners are encouraging individuals and communities to prepare for winter. The good news is that there is a lot of advice available online and several practical steps that can be taken.

Flooding

For those at risk of flooding, the Environment Agency has a lot of useful information online to help to plan ahead. There is also a helpful Flood Guide on the County Council’s website with advice to help prepare for before, during and after flooding.

Severe Weather 

The Met Office has lots of helpful advice on preparing for severe weather on its website, including tips on how to stay safe, warm and healthy at home and travelling.

Staying Well this Winter

Cold weather can affect individual’s health, particularly the most vulnerable. The NHS has advice on their website about staying well this winter. Age UK has some helpful information on their website about winter health and wellbeing and the Met Office website has some advice on looking after your mental health during winter.

Power and Water Supply Cuts

Severe weather can sometimes lead to power and water supply cuts. Did you know that you can just call ‘105’ to report an electricity power cut and to find out more information, regardless of who your electricity supplier is?

Many utility companies have a ‘Priority Services Register’ which eligible customers (e.g. those of pensionable age, chronically sick, registered disabled, have other specific need i.e. sight/ hearing loss or mental health condition) can join to access extra assistance, particularly during a supply emergency. Those who are eligible will need to contact (or someone on their behalf) each of their utility suppliers separately e.g. electricity, water to join their Priority Services Register.

Community Emergency Plan

Many Parish and Town Councils and community groups are good at checking on and assisting vulnerable people within their communities, especially during severe weather. Having a Community Emergency Plan can assist with your community’s response to various emergencies including severe weather. If your community hasn’t already got a Community Emergency Plan, a plan template and supporting guidance is available via Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum’s website.

Are you Ready?

Further information on preparing for severe weather and other emergencies is available in the ‘Are you Ready? Booklet produced by multi-agency partners and available via Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum’s website.