Emergency services offer advice as Storm Pia hits York

The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warnings as Storm Pia hits York. Emergency services have offered advice to residents to take extra care of themselves.

The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warnings as Storm Pia hits York. Emergency services have offered advice to residents to take extra care of themselves.

The advice below includes tips to keep your property and people safe this winter, tips on extended journey times affected by weather and advice on who to contact about wind related incidents.

Top tips for keeping safe during this time of adverse weather

• Be aware of your surroundings and any flying debris which could cause injury or danger to life
• Tiles may be blown from roofs of buildings. If your car is parked near to a building with a tiled roof, it may be worth considering an alternative parking space.
• Longer journey times and cancellations may occur, including road, rail, air and ferry services – please check your route and mode of transport before leaving
• Power cuts are not likely, but may still occur, and could effect other services such as mobile phone coverage. Be prepared for this.
• Injuries and danger to life is higher from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.

How you can protect your property and keep people safe during strong wind:

Don’t risk injury to others or damage to your property. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them in high winds.

Items include:

• Bins
• Plant pots
• Garden furniture
• Trampolines (turn upside down or secure firmly with tent pegs)
• Sheds (ensure doors are locked)

Steps to take before a journey:

• Plan your route, check for delays and road closures
• Listen out for travel updates on your car radio or sat nav
• If you don’t have essentials in your car then pack for the worst (warm clothing, food, drink, blanket, torch etc)
• Take a fully charged mobile phone with an in car charger and/or battery pack

Driving in strong winds:

• Drive slowly to minimise the impact of wind gusts
• Be aware of high-sided vehicles and caravans on more exposed roads
• Be cautious when overtaking high-sided vehicles and caravans
• Make sure you hold the steering wheel firmly
• Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual
• If possible, use main roads
• Leave a bigger stopping gap in traffic
• Use dipped headlights

Who to call in the event of a wind related incident:

Calling the correct agency will ensure the right people respond to you and other people who may also need help, across the county.

Fallen Trees: These can be a common problem during strong wind, and they often cause some confusion about who is responsible, so we hope the information below may help answer this.

• If a tree has fallen on a road BUT is NOT endangering life then you should call the local authority.
• If a tree has fallen on a road or a vehicle and IS endangering life, then please call 999 immediately and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.
• If a tree has fallen on a property BUT is NOT endangering life, then this is the personal responsibility of the owner.
• If a tree has fallen on a property and IS endangering life, then please call 999 immediately and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Unsafe Structure:

• An unsafe structure overhanding a public highway or public footpath or endangering life – call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service
• An unsafe structure overhanging property NOT endangering life – this is the personal responsibility of the owner

For more advice click here.