Met Office warns Brits in 8 areas to prepare 'emergency' kit with 3 items

Brits have been told to prepare for flooding after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain.

The Met Office warning covers a vast swathe of western Scotland and will last until midnight tonight. “Heavy rain” that “rain may cause some flooding and disruption on Saturday” is expected, according to the national weather agency.

The Met Office said outbreaks of rain will likely become "persistent and heavy at times", before slowly clearing northeastwards on Saturday evening. The warning states: "30 to 50 mm rain is likely quite widely, with up to 70 mm possible across western parts. This may lead to some flooding and disruption."

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Those affected by the warning should “consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit”, it said. Essential items include “torches and batteries, [and] a mobile phone power pack”.

Areas covered by the Met Office warning:

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Highland

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway

Strathclyde

• Argyll and Bute
• East Ayrshire
• Inverclyde
• North Ayrshire
• Renfrewshire
• South Ayrshire

In Scotland, you can check to see if your home is at risk of flash flooding by visiting the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website. To prepare an effective flood plan, people should write down a list of useful contact numbers including the local council, insurance companies and utility providers.

People can also move their valuables to a safe place, learn how to shut off their electricity or gas supply and consider offering help to vulnerable friends or neighbours.

Flood kits could include: insurance documents and list of contact numbers; torch and spare batteries; first aid kit and any prescription medicines; warm waterproof clothes and blankets; bottled water and snacks; battery or wind-up radio; supplies for looking after your baby or pet.

The Met Office said: “Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

“People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

“Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”