Social media mixes facts and rumour. In a serious incident, use official sources and a radio that does not need Wi‑Fi.
Kit
- Battery or wind-up FM radio, with local station frequencies written down (Be Ready).
- Spare batteries stored separately.
- Phone power bank for when mobile data works again.
- Radio (wind-up or battery)
Note your local BBC and commercial station frequencies- Budget ASDA Tech Portable AM/FM Radio (batteries) · Asda page
- Moderate Wind-up and solar FM radio with USB charging · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Wind-up, solar and battery DAB/FM radio with torch and power bank · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Power bank
Charge it when the clocks change- Budget Groov-e 10,000mAh Powerbank · Asda page
- Moderate 20,000mAh power bank, two USB ports · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Portable power station, about 250 Wh with mains socket · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
Official sources
- Weather: Met Office UK warnings (yellow / amber / red).
- Floods (England): Floodline 0345 988 1188; check our flood warning check.
- Power: 105 and powercut105.com.
- Emergency services instructions via local radio and official accounts — follow evacuation orders.
Habit
- Check warnings before travel in named storms or heatwaves (storms, heat, cold).
- Our UK warnings page links live sources in one place.
If advice on the radio conflicts with a neighbour's theory, follow the radio and the emergency services.