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1:00 AM 7th December 2021
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Storm Barra: UK Must Become More Storm-savvy As Climate-fuelled Weather Worsens

 
Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash
Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash
Commenting on Storm Barra, Claire Varney, of Zurich UK’s Property Expert Claims team, said:
“With Storm Barra bearing down on the UK, Britons will have to batten down the hatches for a second time in as many weeks. Storm Barra is likely to bring more high winds and heavy snowfall that will hamper the efforts of communities still trying to recover from Storm Arwen. Despite claims volumes from Storm Arwen registering on a comparable scale with those we saw from the Beast from the East, we’re ready to help customers as new claims come in.
Severe weather poses a much bigger threat than it did in the past,

“As the climate crisis increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather, we must all become more storm-savvy. Severe weather poses a much bigger threat than it did in the past, and it’s vital that we help communities to more effectively prepare, respond and recover. Becoming more resilience to the UK’s increasingly unpredictable weather conditions is vital to protecting lives and livelihoods.

“There are some simple steps you can take to stay safe and limit the potential damage to your property and possessions. One of the best ways to prevent damage is to make sure that you watch out for any signs that maintenance is needed to your property and act on it before it’s too late. It’s also a good idea to ensure garden objects – such as bins or trampolines – are safely stored or stowed away. And where possible, park your car in a garage to keep it safe from falling trees and debris.”

Tips for storm-proofing your home

Ensure that items in the garden are either placed indoors or are tied down, particularly barbeques and trampolines.
Gates should be bolted shut so they do not swing dangerously in the wind.
Keep your fences and boundary walls in good condition so that they will be sturdy.
Make sure that drain pipes and gutters are properly fixed in place and free from clutter which could become hazardous debris in a storm.
Keep gutters and drains clear so that rain water can drain away.
Replace any blown brickwork and fill in any cracks that you find.
Keep external woodwork in good condition and renew weatherproof coatings on a regular basis.
Ensure that any slipped or cracked slates and tiles are fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
Look out for cracked or loose cement around ridge tiles or chimneys and get them repaired.
Check on roof coverings regularly and replace them when they show signs of deterioration.
Unplug all unnecessary appliances to avoid damage from power surges.
Don’t go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress.