Storm Preparedness Checklist for your household – Deltron

Strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms and winter storms can disrupt electricity, transport and communications and may cause flooding or damage to property.
You cannot control the weather, but you can control how well prepared your household is. Use this checklist before, during and after severe weather.

Before the storm

Stay informed

☐ Check official weather forecasts and warnings
☐ Check local flood information if relevant
☐ Know where to find official emergency information
☐ Make sure your emergency radio is accessible
☐ Check the batteries in your radio
☐ Keep spare batteries available

Don't wait until electricity and internet access are disrupted before working out how you will receive information.

Charge essential equipment

☐ Charge mobile phones
☐ Charge power banks
☐ Charge rechargeable torches and head torches
☐ Charge rechargeable two-way radios where applicable
☐ Check charging cables
☐ Check alternative charging options on emergency equipment

Prepare emergency lighting

☐ Check your main torch
☐ Put a torch somewhere everyone can find it
☐ Check your head torch
☐ Keep spare batteries accessible
☐ Check the built-in torch on your emergency radio where applicable

If severe weather arrives overnight, you don't want to search through cupboards in darkness.

Prepare your emergency supplies

☐ Drinking water
☐ Non-perishable food
☐ Essential medication
☐ First aid supplies
☐ Torches/head torches
☐ Emergency radio
☐ Spare batteries
☐ Power banks
☐ Warm clothing
☐ Blankets
☐ Hygiene supplies
☐ Baby supplies where required
☐ Pet supplies where required

Around your home

Where safe to do so before severe weather arrives:

☐ Secure or bring inside loose outdoor items
☐ Check doors and windows
☐ Move vulnerable items away from areas at risk of water ingress where appropriate
☐ Keep vehicles in an appropriate location where possible
☐ Make sure essential equipment is accessible
☐ Avoid leaving preparation until conditions have already become dangerous

Always follow official local guidance for the specific weather event.

Prepare your household

☐ Make sure everyone knows severe weather is expected
☐ Discuss what family members should do if they are away from home
☐ Agree how you will communicate
☐ Know who may need additional assistance
☐ Check on elderly or vulnerable relatives where appropriate
☐ Prepare for babies and young children
☐ Prepare food, water and medication for pets
☐ Keep leads and pet carriers accessible

Prepare for a possible power cut

Storms and power cuts often go together, so prepare for both.

☐ Emergency radio ready
☐ Torch ready
☐ Head torch ready
☐ Spare batteries ready
☐ Power banks charged
☐ Phones charged
☐ Food and drinking water available
☐ Warm clothing and blankets accessible
☐ Important telephone numbers written down
☐ Two-way radios checked where appropriate

During the storm

☐ Stay indoors where advised and where it is safe to do so
☐ Keep away from unnecessary hazards
☐ Follow official warnings and instructions
☐ Monitor weather information
☐ Keep your emergency radio available
☐ Conserve phone batteries if electricity is unavailable
☐ Use torches/head torches for lighting
☐ Keep children informed and reassured
☐ Keep pets secure
☐ Check vulnerable household members

Don't go outside merely to inspect damage while dangerous conditions are continuing.

If communications are disrupted

☐ Preserve mobile phone battery
☐ Try agreed household contact methods
☐ Use suitable two-way radios where appropriate
☐ Listen to available radio information
☐ Refer to written emergency contacts
☐ Follow official instructions when communications become available

If flooding becomes a risk

☐ Follow official flood warnings
☐ Move important items to a safer location where appropriate and safe
☐ Keep your grab bag accessible
☐ Prepare essential medication
☐ Prepare children and pets
☐ Be ready to leave if instructed
Never put yourself at risk to protect possessions.

After the storm

Danger doesn't necessarily end when the wind or rain stops.

☐ Continue checking official information
☐ Be cautious around damaged buildings, trees and infrastructure
☐ Stay away from fallen or damaged power lines
☐ Avoid floodwater
☐ Check your household for injuries or urgent needs
☐ Check on vulnerable relatives/neighbours where safe and appropriate
☐ Photograph relevant damage when safe to do so
☐ Recharge emergency equipment when power is available
☐ Replace used batteries
☐ Restock emergency supplies
☐ Review what worked and what didn't

Storm preparedness essentials

☐ Emergency radio
☐ Torch
☐ Head torch
☐ Spare batteries
☐ Power bank
☐ Mobile phone and charging cables
☐ Drinking water
☐ Non-perishable food
☐ First aid kit
☐ Medication
☐ Warm/waterproof clothing
☐ Blankets
☐ Emergency contact list
☐ Household emergency plan
☐ Grab bag
☐ Pet/baby supplies where required