5 tips for staying safe in a thunderstorm

1. Could your property be at risk of flooding
2. Staying safe in a flood
3. Is it safe for you to drive
4. What you can do in a powercut
5. Protecting your property from damage and other people from injury 

1. Could your property be at risk of flooding

Follow this three-point plan to check and be prepared:

1. Check if your property is at risk.

If you are at risk, take the next two steps to protect your property when you need to:

2. Prepare a flood plan
3. Prepare an emergency flood kit

2. Staying safe in flooding

It's never too late to take action and prepare for flooding. Follow these 6 simple steps to protect your home or business:

1. Check the flood advice in your area to know when and where flooding will happen
2. Charge mobile phone devices
3. Park your car outside the flood zone
4. Prepare a flood kit to help you cope in the event of flooding to your home and business
5. Store valuables up high, including electrical devices, important documents and furniture
6. Turn off gas water and electricity supplies

If you are trapped in a building by floodwater, follow these simple instructions to keep you and your family safe:

• Go to the highest level in the building you are in
• Do not go into attic spaces to avoid being trapped by rising water
• Only go to a roof if necessary
• Call 999 and wait for help

More about what to do in a flood

3. Is it safe for you to drive?

It is safer not to drive in thunderstorms but if you must drive you can do this more safely by:

• Slowing down
• Using main roads
• Using dipped headlights
• Giving yourself more time to react on slippery surfaces
• Keeping a bigger gap between vehicles

More about driving in severe weather

What about flood water?

It is not safe to drive or walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep water call 999 and wait for help.

4. What you can do in a powercut

People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance and it's easy to do. The essentials that could help you cope with a power cut are:

• battery candles,
• torches and batteries,
• a mobile phone power pack

If your power goes out these simple steps can help you deal with the situation:

• Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.
• Leave a light on, so you know when the power cut has been fixed.
• Check to see if your neighbours are safe and if they have a power cut too. If they have power, your trip switch may have activated.
• If it's cold, wrap up warm and close internal doors to keep the heat in.
• Portable heaters are a good alternative if heating systems are down.
• Call 105 for information, it’s a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales.

5. Protecting your property from damage and other people from injury

Don't risk injury to others or damage to your property. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them in high winds.
Items include:

• bins 
• plant pots 
• garden furniture (bring inside or secure in place) 
• trampolines (turn upside down or secure with tent pegs)
• sheds (ensure doors are locked) 

Don't go outside to repair any damage during the storm.

Being outside in lightning can be very dangerous, avoid harm by staying indoors as much as possible. If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter, such as a car. Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground.

Find out more about how to stay safe in lightning.

Find out more about how to stay safe in thunder and lightning.

Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, stay up to date with the weather in your area.