A large wave crashes against cliffs

Storm safety

Storm safety

Storm safety tips:
Tip 1
Ensure it's safe to go out
It’s always sensible to check the latest weather advice from the Met Office
Tip 2
Don’t drive and drown
People have died driving through roads flooded by sea or rain. One foot (30cm) can be enough to carry a car into danger
Tip 3
Stay off groynes, piers and harbour walls
If you can feel the spray, you’re too close – a selfie’s not worth the risk
Tip 4
Cliffs crumble in heavy rain
Stay clear of the edge and base of cliffs at all times, but particularly during or after heavy rainfall
Tip 5
Watch out for wind
Stay clear of exposed places as storm winds can gust suddenly, throwing debris or pushing watercraft into trouble
If you get in trouble at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
A graphic illustration of a cloud with lightning

Winds

Some storms can bring winds of up to 100mph with exposed coastal areas often the worst hit.

As well as whipping up the waves and tides, powerful gusts can bring extra dangers to areas by the sea.

Reduce the risks:

  • If you have to take your dog for a walk, keep it on a lead and visit more sheltered areas.
  • Watch out for flying debris – it's best to stay away from the coast in high winds.
  • Avoid cliffs, they can be especially risky places as gusts can suddenly push you towards the edge.
  • Small watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards are very vulnerable to being blown out to sea by wind. Keep them at home until conditions calm down. 
Waves crashing against cliffs

Waves

The power of water is often on show during a storm as waves crash against harbour walls, piers and cliffs.

It looks spectacular, but surges can easily sweep a person off their feet and into trouble. All it takes is one wave to drag you out to sea. A dramatic photograph or selfie is not worth risking your life.
 

Reduce the risks:

  • In a storm, stay away from the shoreline to reduce the chances of being swept away.
  • If you can feel the spray, you’re likely too close. 
  • Keep your eyes on the water. Waves and surges can happen unexpectedly.
  • Check the tides. Risks can increase as the water comes in.
  • Large waves can throw around shingle and debris, so keep your distance.
  • If you see someone get carried away by a wave, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
     

Floods

Rain and sea swells can cause flooding across roads and pathways by the coast and inland. People have died in these dangerous situations.

Just like waves, fast-flowing swollen rivers or tidal surges can easily be strong enough to suddenly take a pedestrian off their feet or even carry away a car and its passengers trapped inside.

If you’re walking, cycling or driving and are confronted by water covering the road, think twice before proceeding. It could be deeper and faster flowing than you realise. Find a safe alternative.

 

Reduce the risk:

  • Avoid flooded areas – they are dangerous and harder for rescuers to access.
  • Do you need to go out? If there are floods in your area, consider staying at home until it’s safer.
  • If you’re not sure a flooded road is safe, turn back – it's not worth the risk getting into deep trouble halfway across.
  • If you get stuck in floods by the coast or see someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Storm Babet flooding

Footage from the HM Coastguard helicopter of the flooding during Storm Babet Watch now

Changing conditions

Storms mostly bring heavy rain and strong winds – but those two elements can cause huge changes to the coastal environment that raise the risks.

Watch out for:

  • Wet, slippery surfaces like coastal rocks and paths where it’s hard to get a firm foothold.
  • Cliff falls - as the ground gets wetter, cliffs can crumble and create dangerous conditions by the edge and at their base.
  • Storm surges, which can cause higher tides adding a danger to areas of the beach that are usually safe from water.
  • Fallen trees, flooding and debris, which can block escape routes.

A couple walking along a pebbled beach in winter

During a storm, emergency services such as HM Coastguard get busier so it might take longer to reach you. Help the Coastguard and stay out of the dangerous areas.

If you get into difficulty or see someone in trouble by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Ordnance on beach

Ordnance

It is very common for ordnance, such as unexploded bombs left over from the wars, to be uncovered during intense rainfall or extreme weather. 

Big tides, strong winds and waves can often wash up long-buried ordnance (explosives) on our beaches or uncover it.

Reduce the risks:

  • Be more vigilant around objects of an unusual size or shape following bad weather.
  • Never touch or move anything that could be ordnance.
  • If it’s safe, take a note of the object’s location and what it looks like.
  • Move away, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
More about ordnance

Weather warnings

You can stay ahead of the storm by watching out for Met Office weather warnings. These are issued when severe weather has the potential to cause disruption to the UK – including risk to life.

Warnings are split into three colours: Yellow (least severe), Amber (medium) and Red (severe) alongside a likelihood of the event occurring, known as the warning impact matrix.

Weather warnings will be issued for rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog.

Yellow 
Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations, usually with low impact but sometimes disruption to travel. Many people may be able to continue with their daily routine but some might be directly affected.

Amber 
There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt plans. There might be travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and possibly a risk to life and property. You should think about changing your plans and taking protective action.

Red 
Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.
 

Shipping Forecast

If you’re by the coast or at sea, the Shipping Forecast is another good way of keeping aware of any incoming storms, with maritime forecasts covering the water around the UK.

The Shipping Forecast can be heard by anyone tuned into BBC Radio 4 and is available online. It is similar to the separate broadcasts issued by HM Coastguard to vessels at sea tuned into marine VHF and MF radio frequencies.

HM Coastguard's broadcasts follow the same format and terminology as the Shipping Forecast but the information only applies to the area covered by the particular Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre and is not national.

Find out more about the Shipping Forecast.

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