Households urged to buy batteries before midnight on Saturday

Households are being urged to prepare for possible power cuts and severe weather disruption by purchasing essential supplies, including batteries, before midnight on Saturday, as Storm Amy is set to sweep across the UK. The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings, including three Amber alerts for wind, with Storm Amy expected to bring dangerous conditions, especially in coastal areas. The storm, which formed in the Atlantic following the interaction of Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto, is forecast to bring wind gusts of up to 100 mph in parts of western Scotland.

Two amber wind warnings are already in place for western Scotland and Northern Ireland this afternoon and evening. On Saturday, weather warnings will cover the entirety of the UK, including an amber wind warning in Scotland from midnight Friday to 9pm Saturday, and a yellow wind warning across much of the rest of the UK, from midnight to 7pm Saturday, including the East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, North West England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber.

The Met Office said there is a 'danger to life', with the potential for power outages, travel disruption, and especially hazardous conditions along the coast, where large waves, even from the shore, could sweep people off their feet and into the sea.

Strong winds and gales are the most common cause of storm-related damage and disruption in the UK. The public is, therefore, being advised to take steps to secure their homes and prepare for the possibility of losing power.

The Met Office advises households to buy torches, batteries, a mobile phone power bank, and other essential supplies that may be needed during an outage.

Households have also been told to stay indoors as much as possible. Anyone who must travel is advised to take extra care and to drive slowly to reduce the impact of gusts, stay alert around high-sided vehicles and caravans, and give more space than usual to cyclists, motorcyclists, buses, and lorries.

Those who do go outside should avoid walking or sheltering close to buildings and trees, which pose a greater risk during high winds. Before the worst of the storm arrives, people should also check for and secure loose items around the home such as bins, trampolines, tents, sheds, and garden furniture, all of which can become dangerous in strong winds.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: "Storm Amy will be an impactful autumn storm for many in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though impacts will also spread to northwest England and Wales, as well as a more widespread windy period for the rest of the UK.

"Within the Amber warning areas, damaging gusts of around 100 mph are possible for a time on Friday evening for parts of western Scotland, especially Skye, Tiree, Barra and western Lochaber.

"This could lead to significant disruption, and brings the risk of power cuts and damage to buildings and trees. Elsewhere, gusts of 60-80 mph are expected more widely in the Amber warning areas, and slightly lower figures for those covered by Yellow warnings.

"Rainfall is an additional hazard, in particular over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50mm in 6-9 hours, increasing the risk of flooding for some. A number of warnings have been issued covering the rainfall risk for the coming days."