Power cut guide
Preparing Your Home for Storm Season Power Cuts
Quick answer: Watch for Met Office amber and red warnings, because a named storm is one expected to bring disruption at that level, including power cuts. In the day or two before it arrives, charge everything, check your torches and emergency kit, secure loose items outside, and make sure anyone vulnerable has a plan. During the storm, stay at least 5 metres away from fallen or damaged power lines, report them on 105 (or 999 if there’s danger to life), and never touch electrics if you’re standing in flood water.
Is the power off where you are? See live power cuts from the network operators and reports from neighbours.
UK storm season usually brings its worst weather between autumn and early spring. This guide is for anyone who wants to get ready before the wind picks up: what the warnings mean, a practical checklist, how to deal with trees near lines, and how flooding changes the risks. It’s written for the whole of the UK, though some numbers differ in Northern Ireland.
How storm warnings work
The Met Office issues weather warnings through its National Severe Weather Warnings service. Each warning has a colour based on two things: how bad the impacts could be, and how likely they are. That means a yellow warning can mean either fairly likely, fairly minor disruption or a less certain chance of something worse, so it’s always worth reading the detail.
| Warning | What the Met Office says it means | What to do about power cuts |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Check whether you could be affected; many people can carry on as normal | Charge devices, check torches and batteries |
| Amber | Increased likelihood of disruption, which can include power cuts and risks to life and property; think about changing plans | Work through the checklist below, bring garden items in, check on vulnerable neighbours |
| Red | Dangerous weather expected; very likely risk to life and widespread damage; take action now and avoid travel where possible | Stay indoors, keep phones charged and follow emergency services’ advice |
You can see current warnings on the Met Office website and app. Flood warnings come separately, from the Environment Agency in England, SEPA in Scotland and Natural Resources Wales; in Northern Ireland, check nidirect.
Why storms get names
The Met Office names storms together with Met Éireann in Ireland and KNMI in the Netherlands. A storm is named when it’s expected to cause disruption or damage serious enough for an amber or red warning. Wind is the usual reason, but heavy rain or snow can also lead to a name. Each new list starts in September and runs until the following August.
The point of a name is simple: it makes people notice. When you hear one on the news, treat it as your cue to get ready, not to wait and see.
Your checklist before a named storm
Most of this takes less than an hour. Do it as soon as an amber warning covers your area, or earlier if you live somewhere exposed or rural where cuts tend to last longer.
Power and light
- Fully charge phones, power banks, laptops and any portable power station.
- Put torches or battery lanterns where you can find them in the dark, with spare batteries. Avoid candles if you can.
- Save 105 in your phone. In Northern Ireland, save NIE Networks on 03457 643 643.
- Find your fuse box and know how to check the trip switch.
- Save your postcode on our site for free alerts, so you know when a cut is reported nearby.
Food, water and warmth
- Check the fridge is running at 5°C or below, keep the freezer well filled, and plan not to open either once the power goes.
- Have food that needs no cooking, plus a flask you can fill with a hot drink while you still have power.
- Fill a few bottles with drinking water if your home relies on an electric pump.
- Get blankets, warm layers and hot water bottles together before the temperature drops.
Outside the house
- Bring in or tie down bins, garden furniture, trampolines and anything that could blow into windows or power lines.
- Close and fasten gates, shed doors and windows.
- Park away from trees and overhead lines if you can.
- Check guttering and drains are clear if heavy rain is forecast.
People and pets
- Check on older neighbours or relatives, and agree how you’ll keep in touch if phones are patchy.
- If anyone at home relies on electrically powered medical equipment, make sure backup batteries are charged and you know who to call.
- Have enough medication for a few days.
For a full list of things to keep in the house all year, see our power cut emergency kit.
Tip: If you’re of state pension age, have young children, a disability, a medical condition or rely on medical equipment, join the free Priority Services Register before storm season. You may get extra updates and support during a long cut.
Trees, branches and power lines
Falling trees and branches are one of the main reasons storms cut power, especially on overhead lines in rural areas. The time to deal with a tree that’s growing towards a line is before the storm, not during it.
- If a tree on your land is getting close to an overhead line, contact your network operator. Operators arrange for trained teams to cut back trees near their lines, and some, such as SP Energy Networks, say this is free on your land.
- Never cut, trim or climb a tree near an overhead line yourself, and don’t ask a gardener or tree surgeon to do it unless the operator has agreed. Electricity can jump from a line to a branch, a ladder or a tool without anyone touching the wire.
- After a storm, don’t try to clear branches that are touching or tangled in lines. Report them and keep everyone away.
Safety: Treat every fallen or low-hanging power line as live. Stay at least 5 metres away, as network operators advise, keep children and pets away and call 105. If there’s an immediate risk to life, such as a line on a car with people inside or sparks near a building, call 999.
Our guide to fallen power lines explains exactly what to do if you come across one.
Flooding and electricity
Storms often bring heavy rain, and water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If you live in an area at risk of flooding, sign up for free flood warnings by text, phone or email through GOV.UK, or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
- If flooding is expected and it’s safe to do so, turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains before water gets in.
- Do not touch an electrical switch, plug or appliance if you’re standing in water or the floor is wet.
- If water has already reached sockets or the consumer unit, don’t go near it. Leave the property if you need to and call 105 about the electrical danger, or 999 if anyone is at risk.
- After a flood, don’t switch the electricity back on until a qualified electrician has checked the wiring and any appliances that got wet.
- Move important documents, medicines and phone chargers upstairs or to a high shelf.
Safety: Never use a generator, barbecue or camping stove indoors or in a garage to dry out or heat a flooded home. They produce carbon monoxide, which can kill. Keep a battery CO alarm in the house.
During the storm
Once the storm arrives, the focus shifts to staying safe and keeping track of what’s happening.
- If the power goes, check whether it’s just your home by looking at your trip switch and your neighbours’ lights.
- See today’s power cuts or check your postcode to find out whether the network operator already knows.
- Report it on 105 if it isn’t listed. Lines get very busy in big storms, so online reporting can be quicker.
- Unplug sensitive electronics and switch off cookers, heaters and irons so nothing comes on unattended when the power returns.
- Leave one light switched on so you’ll notice when the supply is back.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors shut. A fridge should keep food safe for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for up to about 48 hours.
- Don’t go outside to inspect damage while the wind is still strong.
Keeping warm becomes the main challenge if a cut lasts into the night in winter. Our guide on keeping warm in a winter power cut has practical ideas that don’t involve risky heaters.
How long storm power cuts can last
In a big storm, operators may have thousands of faults across a wide area, and some repair work can’t be done safely until the wind drops. Operators generally restore the largest groups of customers first, so isolated homes on long rural lines can be among the last to be reconnected.
That’s why preparation matters more if you live at the end of a country lane, on high ground or on an island. Plan for the possibility of a cut lasting more than a day, and keep checking updates from your operator.
Compensation after a storm
Different rules apply to power cuts caused by severe weather in Great Britain. In a Category 1 storm, a home can get £90 if it’s off for more than 24 hours; in the more severe Category 2 storms, payment starts after 48 hours. You then get £45 for each further 6 hours, up to a cap of £2,235. Payments are usually made automatically by the network operator.
Northern Ireland has its own standards set by the Utility Regulator, so check with NIE Networks. Our guide to storm power cut compensation explains the categories and how to chase a payment that hasn’t arrived.
Frequently asked questions
What does an amber weather warning mean for power cuts?
An amber warning means there’s an increased likelihood of severe weather disrupting daily life, and the Met Office specifically lists power cuts as a possible impact. Treat it as a signal to charge devices, check your kit and secure anything loose outside.
Who do I call if a storm brings down a power line?
In England, Scotland and Wales, call 105 for free to reach your local network operator. In Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643. If someone is in danger, call 999 first.
Can I cut back a tree that’s near a power line?
No. Never trim or climb a tree near an overhead line yourself or with your own contractor. Contact your network operator, which can arrange for specialist teams to make it safe.
Should I turn off my electricity before a storm?
Not normally. Only turn it off at the mains if flooding is expected and it’s safe to reach the consumer unit without standing in water. You can switch off and unplug individual appliances during a power cut to protect them.
Do I get compensation if a storm cuts my power?
In Great Britain, you may do if the power is off for long enough. Thresholds are longer during severe weather, starting at 24 or 48 hours depending on the storm category.
The best moment to prepare is before the next named storm. Take ten minutes now to check your postcode and set up free alerts, then save 105 in your phone and put a torch somewhere you’ll find it in the dark.
Sources
- Met Office u2013 UK Storm Centre
- Met Office u2013 How do we name storms?
- Met Office u2013 Weather warnings guide
- GOV.UK u2013 What to do before or during a flood
- GOV.UK u2013 Prepare for flooding
- SP Energy Networks u2013 Tree safety
- SSEN u2013 Stay alive, call 105
Checked against these sources on 28 October 2026. Rules and amounts can change – your network operator or Ofgem has the final word. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
More on being prepared: Power Cut Emergency Kit: What to Keep at Home · All power cut guides