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With a yellow weather warning in place, the Met Office has told Brits in certain areas to prepare essential items as they could face power cuts. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind, coming into effect tomorrow at 1pm and staying in place until 11pm. The forecaster warned of a "period of strong winds, accompanied by some heavy rain" which "could bring some disruption". According to the Met Office , the strong winds are likely to cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport, with those in coastal areas told to expect "spray and/or large waves". Anyone using bus and trains to get about tomorrow has been warned services may be affected "with some journeys taking longer". The weather warning covers the entirety of Northern Ireland meaning that residents in Co Antrim, Co Armargh, Co Down, Co Fermanagh, Co Londonderry and Co Tyrone are all impacted. On top of all the disruption to travel, people have been advised that some "loss of power and other services is possible". Explaining what should be done if there is a power cut, the Met Office says: "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items." Giving further advice about how to cope with the weather warning, the Met Office says: "If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. "Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area." The warning predicts gusts could reach up to 70mph with the potential for heavy rain. The forecaster said: "South to southeasterly winds will strengthen through Thursday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 40-50mph likely fairly widely, and perhaps 60-70mph in more exposed areas, especially along coasts and over the Mournes. "Outbreaks of rain are also expected during this time, especially on Thursday evening where a short period of heavy rain accompanied by strong, gusty winds will be possible in places." When it comes to warnings for strong wind, the Met Office has five top tips for staying safe. First is to protect your property from damage and others from injury, which means checking for loose items outside your home and working out how to secure them. These are items such as bins, plant pots, garden furniture, trampolines and sheds. Second is all about staying safe if you're travelling, as the forecaster says it can "cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous". The Met Office advises people to plan their route, check for delays and closures, listen for travel updates on the car radio or sat nav, and pack "for the worst" with essentials such as warm clothes, food, drink, a blanket and torch, and to take a fully charged phone with an in-car charger or power bank.
