Met Office warns Brits in 36 areas to prepare 'emergency' kit with three items
The weather experts at the Met Office are warning some Brits to prepare an emergency kit ahead of a stark weather warning for thunderstorms.
The 11-hour long yellow warning which is in place from 10am tomorrow morning until 9pm and covers vast swathes of the south of England, including Bath, Oxford, Portsmouth, London and Brighton. It will see heavy rain, thunderstorms and even the risk of flash flooding.
Now the Met Office is asking people to prepare an emergency kit with three key items - a torch, spare batteries, and a charged power bank - as well as other essential items such as prescription medication or baby food. It comes as UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule
The Met Office said: "Thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to develop during Thursday morning and through the afternoon. These could produce torrential downpours in a few places with as much as 25-35 mm of rain falling within an hour and perhaps 60 mm within 2 hours.
"Frequent lightning and hail will be additional hazards. Storms will tend to become more confined to the south and east of the warning area later in the afternoon before dying out during the evening."
It added: "Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury.
"Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences.
"Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance.
"It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car).
"Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area."
The 36 areas affected by weather warning
Central Bedfordshire
Essex
Hertfordshire
Luton
Southend-on-Sea
Suffolk
Thurrock
Bracknell Forest
Brighton and Hove
Buckinghamshire
East Sussex
Greater London
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Medway
Oxfordshire
Portsmouth
Reading
Slough
Southampton
Surrey
West Berkshire
West Sussex
Windsor and Maidenhead
Wokingham
Bath and North East Somerset
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
Bristol
Dorset
Gloucestershire
North Somerset
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Wiltshire
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