What to do if there is a storm

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Get inside a solid building and stay there until the all-clear. Caught outside in a thunderstorm, a closed car is the next best place; a bus stop, a tent or a tree is not.
Keep away from windows, doors and skylights. The safest spot is a central room on the ground floor.
Bring in or tie down anything the wind can lift: garden furniture, parasols, bins, trampolines. Never go on the roof.
Close the shutters and windows. Unplug electronics you do not need, and stay off the landline phone while there is lightning.
Stay off the roads and out of the woods. If you really must travel, slow down, avoid wooded roads and tell someone your route.
Expect the power to go. Get the torch, radio and power bank out, tune to Status: Verified, and read Power is out.
Call Status: Verified for injuries, or for fallen trees and debris only if they seriously block a road. Report any fire.

An orange wind warning means gusts of Status: Verified: limit journeys, secure the garden, keep out of the woods. A red warning means gusts above Status: Verified: stay at home if you can. The levels are explained on Alerts and sirens.
Thunderstorm warnings cover hail and heavy rain as well as wind. If water starts rising, switch to Flooding.
Lightning rule: if the thunder follows the flash in under Status: Verified, take shelter now. Stay inside until Status: Verified after the last thunder.

Check the roof, gutters, shutters and anything fixed outside before the autumn storms. Have dead or overhanging branches near the house cut back.
Know where garden furniture, bikes, bins and plant pots go in a hurry, and who does it if you are at work.
Park the car away from trees if you have the choice.
Write down who collects the children and how everyone gets home if roads, trains or buses stop.

The same kit as for a Loss of power in your street or part of town, usually for a few hours.Loss of power in your street or part of town, usually for a few hours.Power cuts and blackouts: Status: Verified torch per person with Status: Verified spare sets of batteries, a battery or wind-up radio, a charged power bank, cash, and medicines for at least Status: Verified.
Water: Status: Verified per person per day, for Status: Verified.
Keep the car at least Status: Verified full. See the car kit checklist.

Wait for the all-clear before you go out. Watch for loose tiles, broken branches and hanging cables. Treat any fallen cable as live and keep well away from it.
Stay off the roof. Make emergency repairs from inside and leave the roof to professionals.
Check on the neighbours, especially older people and anyone living alone.
Photograph the damage before you clear up. The insurer will ask for it.
If the power is out, follow Power is out. If water has come in, follow Flooding.

Keep them inside and away from the windows. Counting the seconds between flash and thunder together gives them something to do, and tells you whether the storm is moving away.

Do the shopping and move appointments before the warning starts, and plan to stay in for the day. If you depend on powered equipment, agree a backup plan with your doctor now.

Bring them inside before the wind picks up. Afterwards, keep dogs on the lead: there will be glass, debris and cables on the ground.

The wind is stronger high up. Clear the balcony completely, washing and plant pots included. The lift may stop, so plan for the stairs.