UK households told to stock up on batteries before tonight as power cuts likely

Storm Dave is bringing fierce winds, rain and snow to the UK over the Easter weekend, and the Met Office has now been forced to issue an amber weather warning

The Met Office has issued a rarely-seen amber weather warning for Storm Dave, due to come into force within hours.

The amber wind warning lasts from 7pm until 3am on Sunday and covers North Wales, northern England and parts of southern Scotland. It comes alongside yellow wind warnings and one yellow snow warning, impacting northern Scotland.

The new amber warning says there is a “good chance of power cuts” in the impacted areas as wind speeds could reach 80mph. There is also a “danger to life” from flying debris and large waves.

The Met Office has urged people to prepare for power cuts. “Consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items,” it states.

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People are told to “stay indoors as much as possible” and secure loose items around their home. The warning says: “In advance of high winds, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.”

Areas covered by Met Office’s amber wind warning:

North East England

• Darlington
• Durham
• Gateshead
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Redcar and Cleveland
• South Tyneside
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Sunderland

North West England

• Blackburn with Darwen
• Blackpool
• Cumbria
• Lancashire
• Merseyside

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• Scottish Borders

Wales

• Conwy
• Gwynedd
• Isle of Anglesey

Yorkshire & Humber

• North Yorkshire
• West Yorkshire
• York

READ MORE: British Gas urges UK households to buy food for three days and sleeping bags

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: “Storm Dave will bring a period of very strong winds, with the strongest gusts most likely in the amber warning area. People should be prepared for impacts with disruption to travel likely and possible power cuts.”

“Wind speeds will peak at different times as the deep area of low pressure moves across the north of the UK, with peak gusts in Northern Ireland expected earlier on Saturday afternoon before spreading more widely across the north of the UK.”

Met Office advice for power cuts

• If electricity is crucial for any medical equipment you have, please contact your DNO at any time as they may be able to put you on their Priority Register (see below) for assistance during any power outage
• Make sure you have multiple torches along with extra batteries
• Make sure you keep your mobile phone charged so you can make calls in case of an emergency
• Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours
• Keep important documents safe and handy
• Look out for elderly neighbours and ensure they are prepared for a possible power cut
• Switch off appliances – turn off items such as irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers as they could pose a hazard if the power comes back on when you are not there
• For people using a digital landline who don’t have a mobile phone, or who live in an area with poor/no mobile signal, speak to your communications provider about additional support they can offer you in advance