Households are being urged to check their sheds this weekend (Image: Getty)
UK households have been urged to check their sheds this weekend after the Met Office issued an upgraded amber weather warning with winds of up to 80mph set to blast much of England, Scotland and Wales. The Met Office has put an amber weather warning for wind in place from 7pm on Saturday, lasting until 3am, for most of northern England and Wales including Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Tyneside and Cumbria, as well as in Scotland and Bangor in North Wales.
It has warned to expect “flying debris” which could lead to damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from the roof, and a “good chance” of power cuts. During windy weather, households with sheds in their garden should take steps to secure them, according to charity Sage UK’s gardening expert Simon Akeroyd.
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He said in his advice: “Only storm-proof your garden before it starts, because gusts of wind can be quite dangerous with falling branches or roof slats.
Mr Akeroyd added: “Sheds can be quite vulnerable in storms, so go out there now and check it over. Look for loose flapping on the roof – I’ve lost felt roofs in windy conditions. Batten down the felt or secure it with clout nails at the edges so that loose bits won’t fly off.
“Check your fence, too, and put some of your larger containers up against it if you spot a weak point.”
He also urged households to “gather up” loose items like cushions and watering cans which can fly off and cause damage in strong winds.
He said: “Gather up cushions, hammocks and anything else loose, and take them indoors or put them in the garage or shed.
“Stack your chairs to give them weight, particularly if you have light plastic furniture, and move them into a sheltered corner. If you have a plastic table, unscrew the legs, dismantle and store it.
“Whatever you do, don’t leave a parasol open and move it inside if you can because even closed ones can fly away.
“Watering cans can be the first thing the wind will pick up because they are hollow vessels. Bring them indoors or put them in the shed – or, if not, fill them with water to anchor them to the ground.”
Met Office chief meteorologist, Chris Bulmer, said: “Storm Dave will bring a period of very strong winds, with the strongest gusts most likely in the Amber warning area. People should be prepared for impacts with disruption to travel likely and possible power cuts.”
“Wind speeds will peak at different times as the deep area of low pressure moves across the north of the UK, with peak gusts in Northern Ireland expected earlier on Saturday afternoon before spreading more widely across the north of the UK.”