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Original poster

Candles, matches, torches are you organized??

167 replies

justasking111 · 17/02/2022 16:26

Just been out the roads are mad busy, ditto shops. Battening down the hatches I guess. Our house all electric so we're stuffed if the power goes down we're in a red area. But we do have candles, matches and torches so will be hunkering down with a book .

Anyone better prepared

OP posts:
WispaBurgerbites · 17/02/2022 21:22

@MrsTrumpton

Brownlongearedbat I'm glad it's not just me being totally agog at the reaction to this storm. I'm not saying people shouldn't be prepared and it's sensible to be, but I think the screaming 'Code Red' headlines are whipping people up more than the wind will! Storm Arwen was also categorised as red in November but I don't remember such a build up then. Possibly because that was up north? Now the south is being affected it's all Cobra meetings and panic stations! (And I say that as someone who lives in London.)
We didn't take Arwen seriously and our shed ended up in next doors car. I'm taking it seriously this time.
catwithflowers · 17/02/2022 21:29

@WispaBurgerbites I don't even remember a Code Red for Arwen in Northumberland. I think it was yellow. It was pretty devastating round here though.

AdoraBell · 17/02/2022 21:29

Candles and matches are now on the kitchen window sill.

Ogwen · 17/02/2022 21:31

My partner needs to go to work tomorrow. He works on a hospital ward, so choice. He usually walks, and it takes him about 40 mins. He can’t drive. We’re in a red zone, and the buses are all cancelled. Do you think it’s safer for him to walk as usual, or for me to give him a lift, then go and fetch him in the evening? (I’m working from home all day.) I can’t decide which is more risky.

Beeheart · 17/02/2022 21:39

@Ogwen I would give a lift for peace of mind

Mostlyjustrunning · 17/02/2022 21:58

[quote Brownlongearedbat]@Mostlyjustrunning it's the Environment Agency that recommends evacuation - we are on their contact list. So far we have had a phone call and several text messages. We are adjacent to the Severn Estuary.[/quote]
Ah thank you that makes sense

DickMabutt73962 · 17/02/2022 22:12

I have a camping light somewhere... maybe car boot

Have matches and scented candles?

MrsTrumpton · 17/02/2022 22:21

We didn't take Arwen seriously and our shed ended up in next doors car. I'm taking it seriously this time. Shock

Okay, I'm getting the candles and torches ready! We're in London so we might be fine, but better safe than sorry.

inappropriateraspberry · 17/02/2022 22:28

We're electric and oil. Camping stove has been brought in from the garage and checked. Torches are charged/batteries checked and we've lots of candles around!
Also concerned about water, we quite often lose supply here. Will be filling up jugs I think!

TabithaTittlemouse · 17/02/2022 22:29

We are always ready. Send in the zombies.

Original poster
justasking111 · 17/02/2022 22:35

We've had coastal flooding warnings high tide coincides with the height of the storm. Our council doesn't do sand bags so we'll have to hope there won't be a huge surge. A lot of electricity and telephone lines are overhead in our bit of Wales so powercuts quite common. Am cursing OH waiting till summer to get a log burner cheaper. His sons both with log burners think he's nuts. They'll be more expensive the longer he hangs on they said.

Tomorrow will find me at sons drinking hot tea from the gas cooker and warming up away from our all electric house

OP posts:
FleeceNavidadFromTheSheep · 17/02/2022 22:36

Parked the car across the garage so the garage doors can't blow wide open if the wind gets underneath.

Moved furniture in case the conservatory roof leaks!

Unplugged TVs and computers in case of power surge.

Flasks at the ready, gadgets charged, candles and torches located.

Train tickets for weekend plans cancelled.

SunflowerSmith · 17/02/2022 22:56

I'm in Staffordshire which has an Amber warning, everything is charging and I've sorted out the candles and matches for the gas hob.

I'm a bit unsure whether to send the kids to school, it's a village school with large trees right next to it, within a few feet, it's also next to a big open common land and one of the highest points for miles, it's always breezy up there even on a calm day.

goMe46 · 17/02/2022 22:57

Power cut= The fish tank Heater won't workShock

Somethingsnappy · 17/02/2022 22:58

We've made no preparations, but 'only' amber warning here. Plenty of candles in the house, but no matches! Perhaps I'll buy some Smile

Somethingsnappy · 17/02/2022 22:59

@goMe46

Power cut= The fish tank Heater won't workShock
Oh no! Whereabouts are you?
Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 17/02/2022 23:03

Don’t forget to download a few programmes on Netflix or whatever you use.

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 17/02/2022 23:06

Our area is only an amber rating so not too concerned but we always have wind up torches stashed in various places, excessive candles as people give them to me as presents for some reason, and always have a few 2L bottles of water in case the supply is cut off. I will tell DP to put our bikes in a more sheltered spot though as I’m sure we won’t be cycling to work tomorrow!

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 17/02/2022 23:08

@inappropriateraspberry

We're electric and oil. Camping stove has been brought in from the garage and checked. Torches are charged/batteries checked and we've lots of candles around! Also concerned about water, we quite often lose supply here. Will be filling up jugs I think!
Just make sure you have excellent ventilation if you’re planning to use a camping stove indoors.
HeadPain · 17/02/2022 23:19

MN is making me panic. In Amber zone, in rural area. I was just avoiding going out, went to get some food in as we had nothing really, but didn't think of anything else to prepare. Until I came on here. Hope the massive trees over the road don't topple and smash the house in, and hope the roof/chimney doesn't fly off :/. Two big trees fell in the village last night blocking roads. What am I supposed to do if: electric goes - can't use phone right? mobile phone signal goes, tv goes, internet goes, can't go outside due to danger, and house is damaged or something - like part of the roof/windows /back door gets smashed in? can't contact anyone or can't know any news. Don't even have torch I don't think. Well I do but it's on my phone which is useless if battery goes. May possibly have a battery powered radio, not sure.

HeadPain · 17/02/2022 23:21

Oh and why are people preparing water (I don't mean hot water), why would water be cut off?

HeadPain · 17/02/2022 23:23

I think the power will go off here. It did some weeks back and I didn't even notice a storm then. They said there was one though.

Didiplanthis · 17/02/2022 23:24

We are south east but rural, can't walk to any shops. All roads are heavily tree lined and our power goes out if a sparrow farts in the wrong direction.. we spent 4 weeks on emergency generators 2 years ago after a 5 day outage. They have since apparently sunk the most tree affected power cables but its still pretty ropey and we get multiple smaller power cuts a year so 🤷‍♀️ I have charged torches, battery packs and a camping stove ready.

Nat6999 · 17/02/2022 23:26

We had the storm last night & as far as I can see this one will miss us. We were lucky that part of our area lost power but we didn't. My mum was saying we were OK as we have gas hobs but then realised we haven't any matches. Luckily ds has a lighter & I have put matches on the next shopping order.

Didiplanthis · 17/02/2022 23:26

We have a plug in phone but the phone lines are even worse than the electric ones for tree damage.