Severe Weather
Are you weather ready?
Being prepared for all types of weather is so important as it can affect so many aspects of our daily lives all year round.
In the colder months, this may have impacts on driving, our health and the increased possibilities of power cuts in our homes.
In the warmer months, preparing for summer is equally important.
The Met Office Weather Ready campaign can help you prepare for and cope with severe weather all year round.
Summer planning (Heat)
The Weather Ready campaign from April to September focuses on advice for warmer weather to stay safe and healthy and cope in extreme heat or heatwaves.
For further advice on staying safe in the heat, please also see our Summer Health & Support webpage.
Winter planning (Cold)
The Weather Ready campaign from October to March focuses on advice for colder weather stay safe and warm and copy in extreme cold or snow.
For further advice on staying safe in the cold, please also see our Winter Health & Support webpage.
Severe weather can also cause loss of power to homes during winter, so for further advice on what to do and who to contact if your home suffers a power cut, please visit our loss of power webpage.
Severe Weather advice for Businesses
Cold weather, wintery conditions, strong winds and rain can cause significant problems to businesses. To help ensure your business remains safe and productive, Kent County Council (KCC) in partnership with Low Carbon Kent have produced two helpful factsheets for Businesses to download.
These include advice on protecting your premises, preparing for severe weather and understanding your risks at Low Carbon Kent Climate Change Resilience for Businesses
Drought
With the increase in demand for household water supply, there is a greater need to be responsible with the water supply we have. This combined with droughts in recent years across much of England, including Kent can result in water companies applying restrictions to limit certain uses of water to help them conserve their remaining supplies, such as hosepipe bans.
During a drought or a hosepipe ban, your water supplier will be able to offer additional help and advice.
Water companies covering the Ashford area are:
- Southern Water - 0845 278 0845
- South East Water - 0333 000 0002
For further information on water supply issues, please also see our Loss Of Water webpage.
The Waterwise website also offers further information and useful tips on how to cut your water use and save money.
Contact us
If you have any queries or require further information on this webpage, please contact Emergency Planning via 01233 331111 or email emergency.planning@ashford.gov.uk
