By Eilidh Farquhar

Copyright dailyrecord

Storm Amy has well and truly set its sights on Scotland this week as the country has been issued a variety of weather warnings , with the extreme wind and rain expected to lead to power cuts and travel disruption. In the latest warnings, the nation is expected to hit from persistent and heavy downpours of rain, with the south west of Scotland getting an early burst this evening (October 2) before a wider stripe of the country is hit with chaos from 12pm tomorrow (October 3). While this heavy rain could lead to cases of flooding until it eases away at around 3pm on October 4 and the severe amber wind alert set to begin from 5pm on Friday. As the first named storm of the 2025/26 season, Storm Amy is determined to leave an impact as it is set to bring a spelling of “damaging winds” from Friday evening, which could cause damage to buildings, be a “danger to life” due to flying debris and cut power lines. While many of us can prepare for a storm, it is still challenging to predict whether a power cut will take place or not. On top of this, if it does occur, it can take time for engineers to get everything safely back up and running. As storms can be unpredictable, it is best to be prepared in case a power outage does take place so you can keep your family safe and comfortable while you wait. Paul Collins, Technical Director of NICEIC – the UK’s leading certification body for the electrical industry – has shared some expert advice on how to best prepare for a storm and potential power cut as we head into the colder months. As we have been given a fair amount of warning ahead of Storm Amy, this gives households enough time to bundle together an ‘essentials’ kit. One item Paul recommends is having a fully charged torch. While smartphones have a torch feature built-in, it is crucial to keep your phone battery for communication purchases with loved ones, as well as any updates from your electricity provider. If possible, it is advised to store a torch on every floor of your house in an accessible place, such as next to your bed. It is also recommended to have some extra batteries on hand if required. While some people’s first move may be to light some candles , Paul strongly advises against this action. He explained: “Always avoid using candles during an outage as they pose a significant fire risk. “Candles dotted around the house are at risk of being forgotten about, and walking around with a candle is ineffective and more likely to drip wax. Plus, it could be dangerous if you trip while walking with a candle.” Another tip is to fill any available flasks or hot water bottles with boiling water ahead of any power cuts. This is due to some homes’ hot water being powered by a boiler or heat pump. If this is powered by electricity, it will likely no longer work once the power goes out. Paul urges that you should never assume that your electricity provider knows that your power has been cut, and by failing to alert them early means you will be prolonging the outage. He added: The sooner an engineer is sent out to investigate the cause, the sooner you’ll have your power restored.” To do this, simply call 105 to report the incident and an engineer should be on their way as soon as possible to solve the problem. If your power has gone out, it is important to unplug any smaller appliances and electrictal equipment . Additionally, it is advised to switch off any larger appliances where possible, such as electric showers. By doing so, you will prevent any electrical surge damage that may occur when the electricity is restored. This advice is also crucial during an electrical storm. If damage from a power surge does occur, it is vital that you or a family member does not try to repair any of the items yourself. Some damage cannot be seen and it is best to be carried out by a registered electrician. As your fridge and freezer will also lose power in an outage, it is important to not open either of the doors while the electricity is off. This is because any time the doors are opened they will be letting out cold air and warming up the food and drink inside. As it is hard to tell how long a power cut will go on for, it is advised to resist opening and closing your fridge and freezer in order to cut down on as much food waste as possible. If you are familiar with your consumer unit and your electricity has still not been restored after an outage has been fixed, you may be able to reset it yourself. However, if you do suspect that there is a wider electrical issue, do not attempt to resolve it yourself. Instead, contact an electrician to assess any problem. Paul also added: “If your home is in an area frequently affected by severe weather, it is always a good idea to consult a NICEIC–registered electrician about your consumer unit to ensure that it is fitted with surge protection. “This is an added layer of protection for your home and appliances in preparation for any future electrical storms and power cuts.”