NINE ways to prepare your home for Storm Babet have been revealed amid fears of houses flooding and power cuts.
Concerns have come as the Met Office issued a rare red “danger to life” warning as the storm hits some areas with 10in of rain.
AlamyStorm Babet has brought heavy rainfall and gales including in Teignmouth, Devon[/caption]
The alert is for “exceptional rainfall”, with forecasts of up to 25.4cm pouring down in eastern Scotland.
Worst-affected areas are expected to be in Angus, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in Scotland, according to the Met Office.
Aberdeenshire Council has encouraged locals to prepare sandbags.
Trees have come down on cars in London and coastal resorts including in Devon and Cornwall, south-west England, have seen major roads flooded.
The warning was upgraded from amber this morning and is set to be in place from 6pm on Thursday to 12pm on Friday.
Experts have now issued tips on how best to respond to protect their homes.
Gareth Rondel, head of sustainability delivery at Garratt Developments, suggested nine essential steps to take.
Metro quoted him as saying: “It helps to be prepared for a storm when it comes to preventing damage to your property.
“Take steps to minimise any damage prior to, during, and after the stormy weather, but only do so safely.”
Check gutters
Dirt and debris and swiftly gather in gutters and become a big potential problem when heavy rain descends.
They can struggle to shift the water into drains, upping the risk of leaks and damage to interior walls – so should be regularly checked and cleaned.
Autumn has been described as the ideal time anyway to clear gutters.
Check the roof
The roof is not only one of the parts of the home most vulnerable to damage during storms but also among the costliest to repair.
People are being urged to check the condition of theirs, remove any loose or damaged tiles and also keep chimneys in good condition.
A roof expert has previously provided five must-do checks to save thousands on repairs.
Check skylights
Cracks around skylights, even the tiniest, can let in rain so should be fixed as swiftly as possible.
Other leaks could be found in the flashing, the exposed metal parts around skylights which also need careful attention.
Shift cars from harm’s way
Vehicles parked outside your home should be moved as soon as weather warnings are issued for high winds or storms – with potential issues claiming on insurance if a tree or other object hits yours.
Drivers are also being urged to ensure all doors and windows are properly closed so no rain pours in.
UKNIPStormy weather brought down a tree on to a car parked outside a west London home[/caption]
A mechanic revealed last month a hidden feature to keep your car safe during thunderstorms.
Secure outdoor furniture
Outside furniture such as moved or secured so there is no danger of them being damaged by storms – nor high winds hurling them across your garden or into neighbours’.
Possible options include bringing items inside or into a garage, or else using bungee rope to bind them together.
Common garden furniture mistakes were warned about this summer.
Charge battery packs
Power cuts can be a common effect amid storm conditions, especially in remote areas.
Battery packs should be put on standby in advance and fully-charged, to keep available useful products such as mobile phones and USB torches.
Advice on what to do during power cuts was shared as Britain faced possible “blackouts” last winter.
Stock up on food
Experts advise against venturing outside in severe storms unless an emergency.
That means food shopping should be done to ensure you have the essentials and canned food in advance, with Met Office forecasts often giving time before the worst weather is expected.
The dramatic change of weather comes just days after it was revealed unseasonal sunshine had seen a spike in barbecue food buys.
Check on neighbours
Neighbours, especially if elderly or vulnerable, should be checked ahead of a storm – and also after the worst weather has passed.
Preparations should include offering to do any shopping for neighbours unable to go out out themselves – while some might not even be aware afterwards of just what damage the storm caused.
A study has found checking in on neighbours is one of the top ways that qualify you as a model citizen.
If possible, work from home
This week’s storm is expected to cause widespread travel disruption, both on roads and on public transport – with traffic jams and train cancellations, as well as delayed flights at airports.
Advisors say it would be a “good idea” to work from home, as many did during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, but only if possible.
Similar travel chaos was caused by last month’s Storm Agnes.
SWNSSatellite imagery from space shows Storm Babet heading towards Britain[/caption]
Tom BowlesPeople crossing London Bridge have struggled with strong winds and rain[/caption]
ApexBeach houses have already been damaged in Paignton in Devon[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
