Adverse Weather

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Many of the recent emergencies that the UK has faced have been related to adverse weather conditions. This has included flooding, gales, snow, freezing conditions and heat waves. The result of these incidents has resulted in people being evacuated from their homes, being stranded in freezing conditions and additional deaths due to heat waves. Weather is therefore something for us all to take seriously as we go about our daily business.

The Island has experienced several cases of adverse weather over the past few years including the widespread flooding due to a combination of severe gales generating tidal surges and spring tides in March 2008 and more recently when the unusual event of snow fell on the Island, seriously affecting the Island’s community and businesses for days during January 2010.

The information provided here should help with advice and also where to find additional useful information regarding dealing with adverse weather on the Island.

The Met Office will put out warnings regarding severe weather and this can be found on their website click here, and can be heard on the radio and TV.

The information from the Met Office includes Regional Flash Warnings of Severe or Extreme weather that is expected to cause immediate disruption. Advance warnings are issued when severe weather is expected to cause widespread disruption over the next few days.

The Met Office gives some very useful advice about measures that can be taken before, during and after periods of most types of severe weather - click here for further information.

Keep Warm Keep Well is a national campaign to reduce cold-related illness and deaths during the winter. You can download the guides (in pdf) below giving advice about how to stay well in winter by keeping warm and what financial support is available. Click here to view the Directgov guidance and financial advice page.

adverseweatherstormsandsnow29111203 Guide for people over 60 (pdf, 199kb)

adverseweatherstormsandsnow29111203 guide for families (pdf, 188kb)

adverseweatherstormsandsnow29111203 guide for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions (pdf 196kb)

The National Health Service offer many services and information to combat and deal with the adverse affects to our health brought on during the cold winter months click here.


Snow and freezing conditions
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The climate on the island is such that we rarely experience heavy snow falls, but frosty and freezing conditions can make our island roads and pathways treacherous.

The Isle of Wight Council supplies information on their website giving advice on Winter Driving conditions click here together with information regarding salting of Island roads click here and the routes that are being treated click here

The Met Office gives advice on actions to be considered in heavy snow and ice together with a link to travel information click here.



Storms and Gales
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How to protect yourself and your property in the event of a major storm.
The two main dangers of a winter storm are exposure to the cold and car accidents. The best way to survive a storm is to plan ahead and keep yourself out of danger by staying at home. Watch or listen to reliable weather reports and heed the advice being broadcast.

Preparation to consider before a storm
  • Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them.
  • Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages.
  • Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.
  • Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30°.
  • If the house is fitted with storm shutters over the windows then ensure that these are closed and fastened.
  • If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them.
During the storm
  • Stay indoors as much as possible.
  • If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees.
  • Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences — if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side.
  • Do not go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress.
  • If possible, enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you.
  • Open internal doors only as needed, and close them behind you.
  • Take care when driving on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads, delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible.
  • Slow down and be aware of side winds, particular care should be taken if you are towing or are a high sided vehicle.
  • Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary.
After the storm
  • Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging.
  • Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened.
  • Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs.
The Met Office website offers advice on being prepared and protecting your property against forecasted severe gales









Page last updated on: 29/11/2012