Yorkshire and the Humber winter plan: floods, storms, power cuts

Last reviewed: 5 Nov 2026

Follow your local authorities. In an emergency call 999/911.

This page puts the steps in the order to do them and points to the official tool for each. The full costed checklist for a family of four is on the Yorkshire and the Humber checklist page.

What El Niño may change this winter (UK-wide)

These Met Office statements are for the UK as a whole, not for Yorkshire and the Humber alone. The Met Office UK 3-month Outlook prints "Issue date: 26.10.2026". Under the heading "3-month summary" its bullet list includes: "• There is double the likelihood of a wet 3-month period compared to normal" and "• Windy weather and storms are more likely than usual" (Met Office, 3-month Outlook, issued 26.10.2026).

The Met Office also says: "El Niño years are one factor that can increase the risk of colder winters in the UK." (Met Office, El Niño and La Niña). We add no odds of our own. For the whole of the UK see the UK hub and the plan for both outcomes.

The hazards that matter this winter

Flooding. "The people most at risk of flooding are those who live in a flood risk area." (Be Ready, flooding).
Power cuts. "Emergencies can disrupt power, water, transport and communications." (British Red Cross, prepare for emergencies). The British Red Cross is a charity, not a government body.
Carbon monoxide. "Using barbecues or camping stoves inside, and turning on vehicle or lawn mower engines in an enclosed space (such as a garage) can also cause a build-up of carbon monoxide." (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning).

Your plan, in order

Now

Know your risk. The GOV.UK page is headed "Check the long term flood risk for an area in England" (GOV.UK, check long term flood risk).
Sign up for flood warnings. "Use this service to get flood warnings from the Environment Agency if your home or organisation in England is at risk of flooding. The service is free." (GOV.UK, get flood warnings). GOV.UK also says: "Ask Floodline to send flood warnings to a friend or relative on your behalf." (GOV.UK, prepare for flooding).
Make a flood plan. "If you live in a flood risk area, do what you can now to prepare for a flood. Don’t wait until it happens; you may not have time." (GOV.UK, personal flood plan). "Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water." (Be Ready, flooding). "You'll need to turn off your mains water, gas and electricity if you have to leave your home during a flood." (GOV.UK, protect your property).
Join the Priority Services Registers if you may need extra help. Ofgem says: "Your energy supplier (the company that provides your electricity and gas) and your network operator (the company responsible for the pipes and wires that carry electricity and gas) will both keep a Priority Services Register." "Joining their Priority Services Register means you’ll be able to get a range of extra help when you need it. This could be all the time, or for a short period due to something that’s happened in your life." (Ofgem, Priority Services Register). Be Ready says: "The Priority Services Register (available to customers in England and Wales, and in Scotland), is a free service to help people who have additional needs." (Be Ready, power cuts). Yorkshire Water, a water company and not a government body, says: "If your water is likely to be off for more than five hours, we'll try to make water available to you using other means, which may include delivering a supply of bottled water to your home." (Yorkshire Water, priority services register).
Ask about insurance. See "Insurance in one paragraph" below.
Check your energy bills. Ofgem says: "Energy regulator Ofgem has today (Wednesday 26 August) announced a 4% increase of the energy price cap for the period covering 1 October to 31 December 2026." (Ofgem press release, 26 August 2026). The checklist page shows when the next cap is announced. GOV.UK says: "If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill." (GOV.UK, Warm Home Discount).

Within 2 weeks

Water and food. Be Ready says: "Keep at least 3 days' worth of bottled water (3 litres per person per day) and non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit or vegetables and a tin opener." (Be Ready, power cuts). The checklist page shows the quantities for a family of four.
Light. "Keep a battery or wind-up torch (and spare batteries) at home. Torches are safer than candles." (Be Ready, power cuts).
Radio and phones. "For updates during outages, write down frequencies of any national or local radio stations you use for news." (Be Ready, get prepared). "Charge mobile phones, power banks and any back-up batteries for medical equipment in case there is a power cut." (Be Ready, storms).
Warmth. "Keep warm by using blankets and layered clothing." (Be Ready, power cuts).
Carbon monoxide alarms. The NHS page section "How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning" says: "get a carbon monoxide alarm that makes a loud sound if there's carbon monoxide present – get 1 for each room of your home containing appliances that burn gas, oil, coal or wood" (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning). Be Ready says: "Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets British or European Standards (BS Kitemark or EN 50291) to help protect you from exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide." (Be Ready, cold weather, snow and ice). "Have your heating and cooking appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure they are working safely." (Be Ready, cold weather, snow and ice).
Write down the numbers. GOV.UK says: "To report: an electrical hazard or power cut, contact your local electricity company or call 105 (calls are free)" (GOV.UK, help during a flood).
Make a household plan. Be Ready says: "Use our downloadable and printable household emergency plan." (Be Ready, get prepared).

When a warning is issued

Know what the warnings mean. GOV.UK says: "In England, the Environment Agency provides 3 types of flood warning: flood alert – flooding is possible flood warning – flooding is expected severe flood warning – flooding could be a risk to life and significant disruption to communities" (GOV.UK, flood alerts and warnings).
Timing. GOV.UK says: "The Environment Agency usually issues a flood warning 30 minutes to 2 hours before flooding." (GOV.UK, flood alerts and warnings). "A severe flood warning means there is a danger to life." (GOV.UK, help during a flood).
Leave if told to. Be Ready says: "Not evacuating or delaying evacuation can put your life at risk." (Be Ready, flooding).
Met Office red warning. The Met Office says: "Red Warning: Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven't already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather." (Met Office, warnings guide).
Storms. Be Ready says: "Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those the side of the building facing the wind, and large doors such as those on garages." (Be Ready, storms).
Emergency Alerts. "Emergency Alerts is a UK government system that provides warning and advice in a life threatening emergency." (GOV.UK, Emergency Alerts).

During

In danger. GOV.UK says: "Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger." (GOV.UK, help during a flood).
Driving. Be Ready says: "If you come across a flooded road while driving, turn around and find another route." (Be Ready, flooding). "The number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water." (Be Ready, flooding).
A power cut. GOV.UK says: "To report: an electrical hazard or power cut, contact your local electricity company or call 105 (calls are free)" (GOV.UK, help during a flood).
Food in a power cut. The Food Standards Agency says: "Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible" "Your fridge should stay cold for up to 4 hours." "The food in your freezer should stay frozen for up to 48 hours in a full freezer (or 24 hours if it's half full), but these are estimates." (Food Standards Agency, food safety in a power cut).
Stay warm. Be Ready says: "Keep your home warm – try to heat rooms you spend the most time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C." (Be Ready, cold weather, snow and ice).
Carbon monoxide. The NHS says: "Carbon monoxide gas is colourless and does not smell, so you cannot tell if it is around you." (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning). The NHS page section "How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning" says: "do not use a barbecue or camping stove indoors or inside a tent" and "do not leave vehicles or other engines on in enclosed spaces (such as a garage)" (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning).
If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning. The NHS page section "What to do if you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning" says: "get medical advice as soon as possible – do not go back into the affected building until you have got advice" (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning). It also says: "Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance." (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning).
A gas appliance leaking. The NHS says: "If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999." (NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning).

After

Tap water. GOV.UK, under "After a flood, you can stay healthy by:", says: "not using tap water if you notice a change in the colour, taste or smell - contact your water company if this happens" (GOV.UK, after a flood).
Cleaning up. "This guidance provides advice for everyone on how to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your home affected by flooding." (GOV.UK, flooding and health advice for the public).

Alerts and who to call

| For | Contact (as printed on the page) | Source | |---|---|---| | Emergency | 999 | The safety line above | | Floodline | "Floodline Telephone: 0345 988 1188 Textphone: 0345 602 6340 24-hour service" | GOV.UK, after a flood | | Gas appliance leaking | "If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999." | NHS, carbon monoxide poisoning | | Power cuts | "To report: an electrical hazard or power cut, contact your local electricity company or call 105 (calls are free)" | GOV.UK, help during a flood |

Local help

Hull. Hull City Council says: "It is not the responsibility of the Local Authority to provide sandbags for use by individual occupiers of residential or commercial premises." (Hull City Council, emergency flood advice). "We cannot deliver sandbags on request." (Hull City Council, emergency flood advice).
Calderdale. Calderdale Council says: "Sign up for flood warnings online or call the Floodline: 0345 988 1188." (Calderdale Council, be prepared for flooding).
City of York. City of York Council says: "Our Emergency Duty Team is the contact point outside of normal office hours for all social care, housing and homelessness emergencies." (City of York Council, emergency contacts).
Doncaster. City of Doncaster Council says: "The council's customer services can be contacted in any emergency during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm) on 01302 736000." (City of Doncaster Council, emergencies).

| Leeds contact (as printed on the page) | Source | |---|---| | "Phone: 0113 222 4407 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)" | Leeds City Council, report flooding | | "Out of hours emergency: 0113 376 0499" | Leeds City Council, report flooding | | "Environment Agency phone: 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours)" | Leeds City Council, report flooding |

Insurance in one paragraph

GOV.UK says: "If your home has been flooded and your insurer is part of Flood Re's Build Back Better scheme, you could get up to £10,000 to protect your home from future flood damage as part of your flood damage repairs." (GOV.UK, get insurance). Flood Re is not a government domain; it says: "Flood Re is a joint initiative between the Government and insurers. Its aim is to make the flood cover part of household insurance policies more affordable." (Flood Re).

More guides

Gaps we know about

Past floods. The brief names Boxing Day 2015 as the lived analogue for the Calder Valley, York and Hull. We found no dated quote on a 200 official page, so this page says nothing about past floods.
Drought status. We found a GOV.UK news headline on a drought declaration for Yorkshire but did not read the page body, so we give no date or status.
Smoke alarms. The only page found is from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, outside the region, so this page gives no smoke alarm advice.
Pets and evacuation. The pages found are from Slough and Fife, outside the region, and the Fife page returned 403. This page gives no pet advice.
Fittings that keep flood water out. We did not quote the GOV.UK sentences on non-return valves and air bricks, so we give none. We also quote no sandbag policy outside Hull.
Costs. No page we read prints a price for the kit items, so this page lists none. The checklist page holds the cost estimates, which are our table figures and not sourced prices.
Water total for four people. Be Ready gives a per-person figure only, so we give no household total. The checklist page holds the quantities.
Which network operator serves you. We have no quoted statement of which operator serves your address, and we copied no operator phone number. Call 105 as above.
Water company number. We copied no Yorkshire Water phone number because its sentence does not say what the number is for.
Priority Services eligibility, Yorkshire Water. We did not quote its eligibility wording.
Storm parking and Met Office email alerts. We did not quote the Be Ready sentence on parking in high winds or the Met Office email alerts sign-up page.
Flood Re scheme length, landlord cover and eligibility. We did not quote them, so we state no end date, no landlord rule and no eligibility rule.
Dog and cat microchips. We did not quote the GOV.UK microchip page.
Cold Weather Payment trigger. We did not quote the trigger wording, so we give no rule or amount.
Local resilience forums. Only page titles were read for the North Yorkshire and Humber forums, so we give no sentence from them.
York flooding route. The York page was quoted for out-of-hours social care, housing and homelessness emergencies only; we have no quoted York flooding-incident route.
Household emergency plan PDF. The PDF is not text-extractable with plain curl, so we cite the Be Ready get prepared page instead.
Medicines and baby feeds. We give no medicine or baby formula advice.
Energy bills from January 2027. We give no figure for 1 January 2027 onward. The Ofgem figure quoted above is for 1 October to 31 December 2026 only.
Odds. We give no outage frequency or flood probability of our own. No source we read gives a Yorkshire and the Humber figure.
Why El Niño matters for Yorkshire and the Humber. The Met Office Outlook is UK-wide. We found no regional figure.