Community Risk Register

Natural and environment hazards

Severe weather

• Listen to weather forecasts and take heed any warnings
• Plan journeys or activities with the weather in mind
• Only travel if essential - if you have to travel in severe weather, check and prepare your vehicle first
• Make sure you have adequate clothing and emergency supplies (including bottled water) in your vehicle
• Check for weather warnings via the Met Office helpline on 0370 900 0100 or sign up to receive Met Office alerts directly by email or by mobile app

Flooding

With a vast array of watercourses, we can experience flooding which affects different aspects of our daily lives.

Surface water flooding is difficult to forecast and can happen at very short notice. Never walk or drive through flood water, there may be underwater hazards and it may be deeper than it appears.

You can visit our dedicated Flooding and Flood Risk Management section for how to report a flood, and how to protect yourself against and during a flood.

Heatwave

The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

• not having enough water (dehydration)
• overheating (which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing)
• heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with certain medical conditions:

• stay out of the heat - especially between 11am and 3pm when the sun reaches its peak
• cool yourself down with plenty of cold drinks - avoid alcohol and hot drinks
• keep curtains and blinds closed during the day to keep rooms cool
• consult your GP if you feel unusual symptoms or call NHS 111 if symptoms persist
• call 999 for an ambulance if a person has severe symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, confusion or seizures

Cold weather

Extreme weather and cold temperatures increase the risk of illness and injury:

• keep your home warm, ideally heat to at least 18c
• get help with money - benefits and other support can help you keep your home warm
• get the flu jab
• wear multiple layers and good grip shoes or boots if you have to go outside
• have plenty of food and hot drinks

The Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) helps prevent the major avoidable effects on health during periods of cold weather in England.

For information to help you, your business and your community plan for severe weather, visit the Community Resilience pages of the Met Office.

Wildfires

During hot periods it’s important to take precautions and know how to stay safe during a wildfire.

If you see a wildfire:

• Stay calm
• Ensure you are in a safe location
• Call 999 and provide as much detail as possible about the fire including its size and location.

Space weather

The UK is improving resilience in case of a major solar flare which would disrupt electrical and communication systems.

Developing space weather forecasts is also one of the ways the UK is preparing for a severe space weather event. The Met Office Weather Operations Centre provides vital information to help build the resilience of UK infrastructure and industries in the face of space weather events.

Last updated 30 May 2024