UK households urged to buy batteries from today
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms with a risk of power cuts for several parts of the UK. They are set to continue over the weekend
Brits are being encouraged to stockpile batteries in anticipation of the next three days. This advice from the Met Office comes as several yellow weather warnings were issued for the UK, spanning from yesterday Thursday, June 13, to Saturday, June 15.
The Met Office predicts thunderstorms will strike various regions across the country over the next few days. These severe conditions, coupled with rainfall, are anticipated to cause "disruption in places", including potential flooding, train delays, extended car and bus journey times, and possible power outages, according to the weather agency.
The potential temporary loss of power and other services is the reason households are being advised to prepare ahead of time. The Met Office asserts that "people cope better" when they are prepared in advance.
The agency also provides a range of tips for staying safe during a thunderstorm, including a list of "essentials" every household should possess in case of a power cut.
Batteries are highlighted as one of these essentials by the agency. They are particularly crucial as other listed essentials, such as battery-operated candles, torches, and a mobile power bank, all require batteries to operate, reports the Express.
Brits are advised to ensure they have a sufficient supply stored at home, given the warning spans multiple days and power cuts are entirely unpredictable.
The Met Office also outlines a series of steps for individuals to follow should they experience a power cut amid the thunderstorms.
What to do if your power goes out, according to the Met Office
Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn't be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on
Leave a light on, so you know when the power cut has been fixed
Check to see if your neighbours are safe and if they have a power cut too. If they have power, your trip switch may have activated.
Call 105 for information, it's a free service for people on England, Scotland, and Wales.
Regions affected by the storm alert on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14
East of England
Cambridgeshire
Essex
Hertfordshire
Norfolk
Southend-on-Sea
Suffolk
Thurrock
London & South East England
Brighton and Hove
East Sussex
Greater London
Kent
Medway
Surrey
West Sussex
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Easy' way to clean patios in just '10 minutes' with no jet washer needed
After weeks of wet, windy weather, your patios are likely looking a little worse for wear - but a heatwave is on the way next week so it's the perfect time to get cleaning After enduring weeks of dreary, blustery conditions, your patios may be looking rather neglected. With a sizzling heatwave on the horizon for the UK next week, it's the perfect opportunity to spruce up your patio or al fresco dining space in time for barbecues and gatherings. Yet, tackling tough stains, algae, and moss on patios can prove challenging. Bearing this in mind, devotees of cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch have divulged their straightforward and speedy technique for patio rejuvenation. Elaine Chalk reached out to the 'Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips' community, asking: "Best Patio cleaner, please?" Her query was met with a deluge of suggestions, but one product, Monty Miracle, stood out as a crowd favourite. Georgia Ettridge enthused: "Monty Miracle is by far my favourite!" She continued: "...Then rinse it after 10 minutes." Elaine Rider offered her endorsement: "Monty Miracle cleaner is the best. Honestly, it's so easy to use and so quick. No jet-washing, just spray, leave 10 minutes and rinse away with a hosepipe." She raved further: "You will never use anything else again. I was recommended it and wow I was amazed at the result. This is my patio before and after." Elaine showcased a striking before-and-after snapshot of her patio transformation,, reports the Express. The initial image revealed a surface marred by black marks, while the subsequent one displayed a patio that appeared as good as new. The lauded Monty Miracle patio cleaner is available for purchase online or at hardware shops. Priced at £31.49 from B&Q and £29.69 from Amazon, Monty Miracle Fast Patio Cleaner is accessible for those eager to replicate Elaine's impressive results. Mrs Hinch enthusiasts have been sharing their top tips for keeping outdoor spaces pristine, with suggestions ranging from Wet and Forget to bleach, Patio Magic, pressure washers, and soda crystals. Christina McManus shared her success story: "I've just done mine with Wet and Forget yesterday and they have came up great, I left it on all night and rinsed it this morning." Ann Stanton offered a multi-step approach: "If it's in need of a clean first, neat bleach, a stiff broom, jet wash then Patio Magic or Wet and Forget to keep it clean." Ann Miles provided a cost-effective solution: "Jet wash. Before I bought one I would empty a whole bottle of good bleach mix in hot water in a large watering can and wet each slab. Just leave it to dry and hose down." Karen Sutton recommended a simple household remedy: "Soda crystals in hot water. Stiff broom and scrub and rinse off." The product Wet and Forget has previously been endorsed by Mrs Hinch's followers, who praised its ease of use. For those looking to purchase Wet and Forget, it's available at Wickes for £18 and on Amazon for £21.95.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Shocking moment floodwater gushes down streets as parts of Britain are hit by intense thunderstorms on hottest day of the year
Floodwater gushed down residential streets on Friday night as parts of Britain were hit by an intense thunderstorm on the hottest day of the year so far. The UK recorded its warmest day of 2025 on Friday, with temperatures reaching a sizzling 29C, the Met Office said. However, the forecasting service warned thunderstorms were 'pushing into' the Channel, with an amber weather warning for severe thunderstorms in the east and south-east coming into force at 8pm on Friday. Dramatic footage taken in Dover last night shows an intense stream of water flowing down a residential road, before a moving car with its hazard lights on comes into view. The vehicle appears to be moved down the street by the extreme force of the water, which resembles a flooded river or stream. Elsewhere, around London, a video clip shows huge lightening strikes in the sky over houses, with those inside the properties shouting out in awe. Yellow and amber thunderstorm warnings are set to be in place for large parts of the country tomorrow as the unstable weather continues into the weekend. It comes as some parts of the UK were simultaneously plunged into official drought after the driest spring in over a century. Forecasters warned the coming days would bring wild swings between tropical heat and violent downpours. The Met Office warned some areas could be hit by up to two inches of rain in just a few hours, with gusty winds reaching up to 50mph, lightning strikes, hail, and the risk of flooding and travel chaos. The violent storms could unleash hail, lightning, and gusty winds, while heavy cloud cover and high humidity may keep things sweltering and uncomfortable overnight. Amid all the chaos, the Environment Agency officially declared a drought in Yorkshire this week, where some areas have seen less than 50 percent of average rainfall this spring and just three-quarters of the May average. It follows a similar move in north-west England last month, and a developing drought zone in parts of the Welsh Water network. The agency warned that the prolonged dry period has drastically reduced water supplies and could pose a serious risk to wildlife, agriculture, and public health. Hosepipe bans and water restrictions may be introduced if the situation worsens. Residents struggle to stop flooding in their homes and businesses in Devon this week A spokesperson said: 'A drought is a prolonged dry period that reduces available water supplies and can negatively impact the environment, people and wildlife.' Simon Partridge added: 'We've got a very warm, humid, spell of wet weather to come.' Under the UKHSA's alert system, the yellow alert signals a likely increase in healthcare demand, particularly from over-65s and people with heart or lung conditions.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Met Office issues fresh thunderstorms warning for this weekend with up to 50mm of rain to hit in hours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE MET Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms this weekend, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours. The alert signals the arrival of severe weather, bringing the risk of flooding, hail, and lightning strikes across the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday Credit: Met Office 4 Lightning strikes in the sky along Church Street in Witham, Essex tonight 4 During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours Brits are urged to be prepared as intense storms are set to hit several regions, sparking concerns of widespread disruption. The weather warnings will affect several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England, from 8pm this evening until 5am on Saturday morning. There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday. The Met Office has highlighted the risk of "fast flowing or deep floodwater" that could endanger lives, with some communities potentially becoming cut off due to flooding. Read more on News HOT TOPIC First heat-health alert this year for 4 areas amid warnings of 'serious' risks During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours. This will bring major disruption, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages. The Met Office also warned of the potential for strong winds, reaching up to 50mph, which could exacerbate the impact of the storms. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin commented that the day would start off 'hot and humid,' with some areas of the country potentially seeing temperatures climb as high as 30°C. However, conditions will soon change, with thunderstorms beginning around 2pm in Wales and the South West, spreading to other areas later in the day. Parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures remain as high as 28°C on Friday evening, though the heat will quickly give way to more unsettled weather. With 30–50mm of rain expected in some areas before the storms ease early on Saturday, residents across Greater London, Plymouth, Bath, Brighton, Norwich, and parts of the South East are advised to remain alert. Cardiff and other southern regions could experience the heaviest downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to 80mm of rain. This level of rainfall is likely to cause significant surface water flooding, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to the risk of accidents. The situation has already caused significant flooding in parts of the South West, particularly in Plymouth, where local residents battled knee-deep water. The storms have already resulted in closures, with some roads, such as Gdynia Way and Kings Street, shut down due to flooding. The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has also closed its doors as a result of flood damage. James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of TRP, stated: 'The torrential rain has required us to close the Theatre Royal today as we continue to deal with a significant flood into our basement. Our priority is the safety of our staff, our artists, visitors and participants.' In addition to the potential flooding, strong winds of up to 50mph are expected to cause problems along coasts and hills, further complicating the situation for drivers and emergency services. Local authorities have advised caution when travelling, particularly in affected areas, as there may be delays and possible cancellations to train and bus services. The disruption could continue into the weekend, particularly in areas where floodwater lingers. The Met Office has issued a warning about the increased risk of power cuts, especially in areas where storms bring lightning strikes. Residents are urged to be prepared for the possibility of service interruptions, with some homes and businesses potentially losing power due to the extreme weather. The public is encouraged to monitor the weather closely and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.
