Scotland is no stranger to severe weather. But we know it can be worse in winter.
We have advice on how to prepare for: – Snow and ice – Rain and flooding – Storms
Know how to stay safe:
Ready Scotland: Prepared for Winter?
Tag: storms
‘Thunder fever’ could cost motorists up to £5000
The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses.
This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever (and asthma) much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens when moisture and lightning brought by the storm, shatter pollen normally too large to enter the lungs into tiny pieces.
Whilst drivers need to be careful that sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes brought on by hay fever doesn’t impair their driving ability, there is a serious risk for those suffering with the pollen. The government legislation that bans driving while under the influence does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications.
This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness. One in four people in the UK has hay fever, which equates to approximately 16 million people.
Other distractions that could be classed as careless driving include ‘rubber necking’ at the storm itself or failure to see through the windscreen properly, if caught in heavy rain.
Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says if drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.
However, any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods that accompany thunder storms might not be covered by insurance policies. Quotezone.co.uk warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “The weather has been extreme this summer and driving in the heat alone has been challenging but there are things drivers need to know to avoid risking penalty points or fines and keep themselves safe on the roads.
“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more travel time, note drivers may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – drivers can be fined if they can’t see clearly out of all windows.
“Hay fever symptoms can come on unexpectedly and some types of medication do cause drowsiness, or carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”
It’s always sensible to check the weather before setting off on long journeys and err on the side of caution, Met Office pollen count forecasts available here.
Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including breakdown cover, and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products.
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Severe weather warning: Keep your wheelie bin under control!
Why a rampaging bin might not be covered by home or business insurance
Winter storms inevitably bring storm damage, and one of the major culprits these days are wheelie bins being blown into cars and property. Recent storms have caused many £1000s of pounds worth of damage to cars, garden fences and untold hours will be wasted collecting litter from streets and car parks.
And according to one waste and recycling company, if you’ve not made a reasonable effort to prevent your bins from getting loose, you might not be covered by insurance.
Waste collection company Divert.co.uk says rampaging wheelie bins can cause thousands of pounds of damage for which the householder or business owner from where it came could be held responsible.
We’ve all seen videos of bins being blown down the street during storms, says Divert.co.uk spokesman Mark Hall, “but what many people forget is that they’re heavy and can pack a real punch if they hit anything.
What’s the damage, then?
The average domestic wheelie bin, when empty, weighs around 10kg (22lbs in the old money). A wheeled commercial bin weighs between 15-50kg (33-110 pounds).
Allowed to run free in gale-force winds gusting up to 50mph, the potential for damage is enormous.
Blown out into the street, even a domestic bin can cause thousands of pounds of damage to a car. Even a small dent could cost you between £50-£150, and that might not be covered by your insurance excess, so it’ll come straight out of your pocket.
And that’s if your insurance is valid because here’s the small print: Insurance companies – always looking to protect their bottom line – might not payout if you have not made a reasonable attempt to secure your bins.
We repeat, in bold type: Your insurance may not be valid.
“The nightmare scenario is your bin pummelling your neighbour’s brand new Tesla,” says Divert.co.uk’s Mark Hall. “You might need to be as rich as Elon Musk to get out of that if your insurance turns you down.”
So, should I tie down my bins?
Securing your wheelie bins on your domestic or commercial property protects you from any liability should they cause damage to other people’s property.
In most cases, you don’t need to do anything elaborate. For a domestic bin, a bungee cord securing the bin to a fence, downpipe or other fixture would be sufficient.
You can also buy a bracket handle that fixes your bin to the wall if you want a more elegant and secure solution.
For multiple or heavier bins, it’s worth investing in a corral or enclosure for your wheeled containers. They also look tidier than having a row of bins outside your property.
All of these solutions also secures them against bin theft, which is a bizarre, yet growing phenomenon.
Not only do thieves love wheelie bins as a means to carry swag away from a break-in, but they’re also stolen and burned by feckless youths who live under the belief that inhaling the fumes gets you high.
Public service announcement: Huffing bin fumes does not get you high.
And securing your bins makes sense even before you consider the insurance aspect.
That’s because there’s nothing worse than stepping out in a cold, wet, and blustery morning to find your bin blown over and having to chase rubbish down the street.
Nobody wants to do that, says Divert.co.uk’s Mark Hall. “Save yourself a morning of misery – secure your wheelie bin.”
Batten down the hatches ahead of Ophelia’s UK arrival
On 30th anniversary of the 1987 Great Storm, windy weather forecast for the west of the UK – protect your home and business now …
Aviva is advising homeowners and businesses to take basic precautions to protect themselves and their property ahead of heavy downpours and very strong winds from ex-tropical storm Ophelia, which are forecast to hit the west coast of the UK early next week.
The tail-end of the US tropical storm is due to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Great Storm of 15/16 October 1987, which caused winds of over 100mph, significant damage across the UK and killed 18 people.
Although we know from history that precise forecasting can be difficult, Aviva has its network of contractors and property claims experts on stand by across the country and its contact centres are available 24/7 to help those who might be affected by the forecast unsettled weather.
Rob Townend, claims director for Aviva said: “While it’s unclear yet how severe the storm will be, high winds and heavy rain could cause havoc to homes and businesses. But some simple measures can help to minimise any damage. For example, secure your fences, doors and windows and be aware that you may face disruption to your travel plans.
“Our claims teams are ready and here to help if your property or car has been damaged as a direct result of storm force conditions. We can also arrange alternative accommodation for you if the damage means you need to move out of your home temporarily.”
Customers wishing to make a claim should contact:
- For home insurance – call 0345 030 6945 or you can report a claim online on MyAviva at your convenience to get your claim reference
- For car insurance: call 0345 030 6925 or report a claim online at MyAviva
- For business insurance: contact your broker or for commercial property claims call 0800 015 1498, for commercial motor 0800 246 876 and for motor trade 0800 0466 229.
What to do before the storm
- If possible park the car in a garage, or away from large trees
- If time allows and it is safe to do so check for loose tiles on the roof, secure any weak fencing etc to minimise the risk of causing damage to other parts of your property.
- Safely store or secure any garden furniture, ornaments, bikes or children’s toys/outside play equipment.
- Make sure all doors and windows are closed.
- In the event of an electrical storm remove the aerial from the TV set
What to do after the storm
Call your insurer immediately if your property suffers damage. Aviva’s team of experts will be able to give you advice on how to prevent further damage and will help you with your claim to get your property back to the way it was.
This video provides some handy tips and advice for protecting homes ahead of storm weather
Storm Gertrude: stay safe
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offers safety advice
Storm Gertrude, the latest winter storm to hit Scotland, wll bring wet, windy and wintry weather to communities across the country today and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has already been involved in emergency responses, along with other partner agencies at flooding and water rescue incidents in the Borders and in Dumfries and Galloway over the past two days.
The Met Office has issued amber “be prepared” and yellow “be aware” warnings for Scotland with an amber warning for high winds in place from 3.00am until 10.00am on Friday. Heavy rain throughout Friday is expected to be followed by icy and wintry conditions into Saturday.
SFRS will continue to monitor the situation across Scotland as the effects of STORM GERTRUDE begin to be felt. Resources are in place to support local communities using specialist equipment to prevent and reduce the impact of flooding on domestic and commercial properties and ultimately keep them safe and allow them to prepare for the expected weather over the next 24 hours.
In addition to the already present strong winds and rain in some areas of the country, forecasters are also predicting wintry weather, including snow and ice. During this period of unsettled weather, people are advised to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecasts and National Severe Weather Warnings and find out what to do in severe weather so they can plan ahead for the weather in store.
The main risks normally associated with weather patterns such as this are flooding and loss of power due to the wind and rain. As a result the public may find themselves in a situation where their homes are affected. The Fire Service would like to remind anyone who finds themselves without power or water entering the home that they can take a few simple steps to ensure they are not placed in any additional risk from fire.
When using candles never leave them unattended and make sure you blow them out when you leave the house or go to bed. Make sure that when in use, candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains, Christmas trees, decorations and toys. Other tips include:
- Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles
- Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night.
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
- Don’t move candles once they are lit
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.
- Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring (mainly with tea-lights).
- Always make sure tea-lights are placed in a proper holder. The foil container which tea lights come in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic, such as a bath, and have the potential to start a house fire.
- Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles. It’s safer than blowing them out when embers can fly.
The public can get further information on safety when using candles by using the link below:
http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/festive-safety/candles.aspx
If your home suffers a loss of power or is flooded and you are using portable heaters to heat or dry out your home here are some simple tips to keep you safe:
- Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
- Unplug or switch off portable heaters when you go out or go to bed.
- Secure portable heaters in position to avoid the risk of them being knocked over
- Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well-ventilated areas. Heaters consume oxygen and in enclosed spaces can produce harmful gases and/or cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fit a Carbon Monoxide detector in all rooms containing gas or paraffin heaters.
- Never use portable gas cylinder heaters in high rise flats
- Always change gas cylinders in the open air. Never change gas cylinders in an enclosed space.
If you or someone you know is vulnerable or may be at risk from fire please get in touch and arrange a FREE home fire safety visit with local firefighters by calling 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk
A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk/winter
Further resources:
MET OFFICE WARNINGS – http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/guide/weather/severe-weather-advice
FLOODLINE – http://www.floodlinescotland.org.uk/flood-updates/
TRAFFIC SCOTLAND: http://trafficscotland.org/
TRAVELLINE – http://www.travelinescotland.com/welcome.do
SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) – http://www.sepa.org.uk/
READY SCOTLAND – http://www.readyscotland.org/are-you-ready/severe-weather/
Scotland braced for severe storms
‘Weather bomb’ expected to cause widespread disruption
Severe gales and exceptionally high waves will hit Scotland today , with western coastal areas particularly affected. The Met Office says western and northern Scotland should be prepared for “dangerous conditions” throughout the day.
Transport services have been cancelled as a rapidly-developing storm – known as a ‘weather bomb’ – threatens wind gusts of up to 80mph. Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne yesterday warned of severe disruption to its services.
Edinburgh has already experienced thunder and lightning today following a night of heavy rain and high winds. Gusts of over 70mph have been reported on the Forth Road Bridge this morning and the bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has more than 25 flood warnings and alerts in place across the country.
Scottish and Southern Energy is on ‘yellow alert‘ which means it anticipates power cuts
Very strong winds are expected to affect northern and central parts of the UK until early on Thursday. A second storm front is predicted to track across the country overnight on Thursday, with a yellow warning for snow in for parts of central and southern Scotland in place for Friday morning.
Police Scotland’s Inspector Bryan McGeogh said this morning: “I would advise people to travel with caution across the country. Very high winds are expected which could impact on the road network, rail travel, ferries and bridges and driving in these conditions could be particularly hazardous.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the “exceptionally strong winds and tidal surge” were expected to produce unusually high tides and large waves along the west coast of the country.
The First Minister chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee yesterday and received an update on preparations for the severe weather forecast over the next 24 hours.
An Amber (Be Prepared) warning has been issued for severe gales with gusts around 80 mph expected mainly over the Outer Hebrides and Northern Isles tomorrow. This could lead to disruption to travel, power and some dangerous waves over the causeways. Disruption could also be experienced over the rest of the country, which is covered by a yellow warning for high winds, with ferries, rail services and bridges likely to be affected.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister John Swinney took part in a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee earlier this evening, and were joined by Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities Keith Brown and Transport Minister Derek Mackay, as well as representatives from Transport Scotland, local resilience partnerships, SEPA, Met Office and other key organisations who will provide an update on their preparations.
Transport Scotland is activating the Multi-Agency Response Team (MART) to monitor the conditions. The MART, which involves partner organisations such as Police Scotland and the Met Office, is being co-ordinated at the Traffic Scotland Control Centre in South Queensferry with access to the best technology available to monitor the situation and react accordingly.
More widely, the Scottish Government will closely monitor the effects of the severe weather. The resilience (SGoRR) committee has been in touch with responder organisations in those areas that are expected to be affected to get updates on the multi-agency efforts being made to deal with potential impacts and will continue to stay in regular contact to discuss prevention and response activity.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Having visited Transport Scotland’s National Control Centre earlier today (Tuesday) and attended SGoRR this evening to receive an update on preparations I am confident we are well placed to cope. However, weather events can cause significant disruption and it’s important that the public take heed of the latest travel and safety advice this week.
“Our response to major transport incidents is now better co-ordinated and under one roof with experts working alongside each other. We use state of the art monitoring to prepare for all conditions. Weather stations throughout the trunk road network relay information to our operating companies, on temperature, wind speeds and rainfall.
“Before heading out, I would urge the public to consider the conditions. They should listen to radio reports, visit the Traffic Scotland website or twitter feed and take note of the latest police advice.
“The Scottish Government’s annual campaign, Ready for Winter, is a good reminder of the simple actions we can all take in an hour to prepare for adverse conditions. Information is available at Readyscotland.org.”
Steve Willington, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Very strong winds are likely to affect northern and central parts of the UK from early Wednesday and last through until early Thursday as a very deep low pressure system moves slowly eastwards between Scotland and Iceland. A period of severe gales is likely over northern and central Britain, as well as the potential for storm force winds over north western coastal areas of Scotland.”
David Dickson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “Safety has to be our first consideration during severe weather and we are withdrawing a limited number of services until the worst of the storms have passed. We will be monitoring conditions on the ground closely throughout the night and into the morning and will have teams in place across the country to react quickly to any damage caused by the weather.
“We are working closely with the train operators and other industry partners to do everything we can to reduce disruption, while also operating a safe network for passengers.”
Richard Brown, Head of Hydrology for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “From today, onwards, the risk of coastal flooding is expected to impact on north western coastlines, especially Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles and Argyll and Bute, however impacts are likely to also affect the Orkney and Shetland Isles and the entire west coast – including Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway. The potential for strong to gale force winds, very large waves and tidal surges could result in localised flooding to roads, coastal pathways, causeways and individual properties from spray and wave overtopping.
“The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service predicts that flooding is expected to continue throughout the week, with Wednesday forecast to experience the largest waves and greatest impacts due to the strength of tidal surges. There is a risk of significant flood impacts from wave overtopping and spray during this time, before large waves begin to lessen on Thursday.
“We would strongly encourage people to remain vigilant and be mindful of the conditions in their locality and when travelling, especially along more exposed coastal areas. Members of the public can access the latest flood updates for their area via our website, and sign up to the Floodline direct warning service by calling 0345 988 1188.”
For flood warning updates go to: http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/