So get those hanging baskets indoors and follow the advice appropriate to you:
Before the storm (that means now)
- Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture, plant pots or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them
- Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages
- Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences
- Move valuable items, including important documents, to high levels
- Ensure you have bottles of drinking water in case the water supply becomes contaminated
During
- Stay indoors as much as possible — if you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees
- Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences — if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side
- Do not go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress
- If possible, enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you
- Open internal doors only as needed, and close them behind you
- Take care when driving on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads, delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible
- Never try to drive through flood water — 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles.
- Avoid walking through flood water, streams or rivers in full flow — just six inches of rapidly moving water can knock a person over
- If you have to evacuate your home or workplace turn off those utilities you can access
- Avoid driving unless you journey is absolutely necessary
After the storm
- Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging
- Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened
- Make sure that any vulnerable or elderly neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs
- Check structural damage to buildings
- If it is dark, use a torch, not candles
- Throw away all foods, including canned goods, which have come into contact with flood water.