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Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Essex …

A weather warning has been issued for Essex tomorrow as thunderstorms are forecast to sweep across the county. The Met Office has issued the warning for the majority of the county on Wednesday (August 2) along with parts of East Anglia, London and the Midlands.

The Met Office has advised that heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop from 9am tomorrow and potentially cause flooding and travel disruption. The warning is in place until 7pm.

There could be some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes, and a good chance that driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and hail, leading to longer journey times by bus and car, with potential delays also to train services.

There could also be some short term loss of power and other services. The warning covers all of Essex except Thurrock, south Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, Burnham and Southend.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected during Wednesday. Where they do develop they could be slow-moving and persistent with as much as 20-25 mm of rain falling within an hour and possibly 40 mm in 2-3 hours in a few places. Lightning and hail will be additional hazards.”

The Met Office has issued the following five tips for staying safe in a thunderstorm:

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[2].

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

  1. Prepare a flood plan
  2. 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[3] 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

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

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[4] 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:

  • candles and matches or lighters,
  • 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.

References

  1. ^ TOWIE star Clelia Theodorou shares ‘paralysing pain’ after mum dies in car crash (www.essexlive.news)
  2. ^ property is at risk (www.metoffice.gov.uk)
  3. ^ flood advice in your area (www.metoffice.gov.uk)
  4. ^ power cuts (www.metoffice.gov.uk)

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