Households are being urged to stockpile key items (Image: (Image: Getty))
Households across the UK are being urged to stockpile five essential household items as soon as possible this week due to possible disruption due to heavy rain storms.
The has issued yellow weather warnings for heavy rain for much of the UK today, while the Environment Agency has issued more than 50 flood alerts and warnings across England, Wales and Scotland.
The north of England and the midlands will be worst affected by continuing heavy rain storms, the said.
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Households should stockpile batteries (Image: Getty)
And flooding has already hit several areas according to the Environment Agency.
The forecast says: “An area of rain, heavy in places, will affect parts of the north-east Midlands and east and northeast England during Monday, before clearing overnight.
“There is significant uncertainty in the amount of rainfall and location of the largest totals, but 20-40 mm of rain could fall quite widely with a chance that a few places could see 60-80 mm. Strong northeasterly winds will accompany the rain.”
Energy firm British Gas in its advice on dealing with power cuts, such as those which might be caused by flooding, says customers should stockpile these five items.
Firstly, torches. A battery powered or even kinetic (i.e. wind-up) torch is extremely useful in any possible power cut situation.
Spare batteries, both AA and AAA and whatever your torch takes, will also come in useful.
A back up charger for mobile phones, such as a battery pack with cable, would also be advised.
The firm added: “You might even consider a battery-powered radio, to keep on top of local updates if you can’t use your mobile.”
And naturally, keep a cupboard stocked with essential foods that you can prepare without electricity. It’s easier if you have a gas hob, as you can still cook soups, tinned meats and tinned potatoes on a gas hob, or make porridge.
But foods like tinned rice pudding, breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, nuts and seeds, and chocolate, can all be stored and eaten safely in a power cut with no preparation needed if you don’t have electricity or gas.
If you do have a power cut, call 105 from your mobile to report it.