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Warwick Households Asked to Prepare for Floods and Power Cuts

Warwick households are being asked to keep three days of essentials at home and check whether they qualify for free extra help in a power cut, as Warwickshire backs the Government's Be Ready campaign.

By Alex Harrington 2 min read Source: Warwickshire County Council
Warwick Castle's towers and walls above the River Avon, seen from Castle Bridge
Warwick Castle from Castle Bridge. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Warwick households are being asked to prepare for floods, power cuts and severe weather as part of the Government’s Be Ready campaign, with Warwickshire County Council passing on the advice to keep three days of essentials at home. The risks identified locally are river and surface water flooding, extreme weather and the loss of gas or electricity.

In Warwick, the River Avon runs right through town. The record level at our gauge is 3.95 metres, set in 1998, and you can see the latest reading, its trend and any flood warnings on Warwick Live.

What to do

  • Check the Priority Services Register. It’s free, and it’s for people who may need extra help when electricity, gas or water goes off. You may qualify because of health or mobility needs, because you’re of pensionable age, or because you have children aged five or under at home.
  • Know your risks. Find out your flood risk and, where it applies, sign up for Environment Agency flood alerts and Met Office weather warnings.
  • Make a household plan. Think about what you’d do if you had to leave home or couldn’t reach each other, and keep important numbers somewhere easy to find.
  • Keep essentials in. The campaign suggests three days’ worth: bottled water, food that keeps, medication, a torch and batteries, and a charged power bank. Build it up gradually rather than buying everything at once.
  • Talk to your neighbours. Swap contact details and think about who nearby might need help.

The advice comes with a reminder about fire: you can complete an online Home Fire Safety Check, or apply for a Safe and Well visit if you need more support.

Ben Brook, Warwickshire’s Chief Fire Officer and co-chair of the Warwickshire Resilience Forum, said being prepared “doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive”.

Where to find out more

The county’s news release links to the national Be Ready checklist and household emergency plan, and to the Warwickshire Resilience Forum’s local advice. For the roads in bad weather, our Warwick road closures page lists what’s been notified.

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Alex Harrington