BCP prepared for Storm Ciarán

Residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are advised to be prepared and stay safe with the impending arrival of Storm Ciarán on Thursday 2 November.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning of wind, with very strong winds bringing gusts up to 80mph along the coastline, and heavy rain across parts of Southern England.

The storm is likely to cause travel disruption on buses, trains, cars, ferries and flights, with a high risk of flooding in certain areas and tidal surges causing further disturbance across coastal routes.

In preparation for Storm Ciarán, BCP Council is advising residents to:

• secure any loose objects in gardens and driveways that may cause flying debris, ahead of time
• before travelling, check weather reports regularly and avoid flooded routes and coastal roads
• check in with elderly and vulnerable neighbours before Thursday to ensure they remain safe during the storm

Cllr Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places which oversees emergency planning, said:

"The extremely high winds and heavy rain predicted during Storm Ciarán is likely to bring disruption across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, so I urge all our residents to plan ahead so they’re ready for the storm.

"Small things such as fully charging phones and electronic devices and knowing where torches and spare batteries are in case of a power cut, can make all the difference.

"Our teams are on standby and fully prepared to respond to any issues the weather may bring, but I encourage everyone to stay safe during the storm."

Residents should use the links below to report any storm-related incidents:

• BCP Council's Report It function
• Fallen Trees blocking main roads here
• Flooding in homes and businesses here
• Flooding on roads here
• Power cut – to find your local electricity network

Follow BCP Council updates about Storm Ciarán on Twitter / X here.

Keep up to date with the latest advice and weather warnings from the Met Office here.

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Additional notes:

Follow the Met Office advice for staying safe in a storm here.

Further tips to be storm ready:

• clean your gutters, down pipes and drains regularly to prevent blockages
• partially empty water butts in advance to hold back some of the rain during the storm and help ease pressure on storm overflows
• check your home insurance policy is current and adequate
• prepare an emergency kit with essential items in case you lose power or need to leave home in an emergency
• listen to your local radio station and other media and social media for up-to-date weather information