A FLOOD expert has issued advice on how to prepare for stronger-than-usual autumn and winter storms, including stocking up on tinned food and bottled water.
Flood resilience campaigner Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, also known as ‘Flood Mary’, is encouraging households to take simple steps now to prepare for potential disruption from storms, flooding, or power cuts in the months ahead.
Her advice comes after the Government Office for Science said a significant El Niño is likely to occur towards the end of 2026, with some forecasts predicting ‘the strongest event on record’.
PREPARED: Mary Long-Dhonau at a flooded South Quay in Worcester has given advice on how to prepare for storms and extreme weather (Image: Flood Mary)
Mrs Long-Dhonau, who has personal experience of flooding in Worcester, said: “I don’t think any of us wants to spend the winter expecting the worst but a little preparation now can make life much easier if a storm, flood or power cut temporarily disrupts the things we normally take for granted.”
Recent emergency preparedness advice recommends keeping a supply of non-perishable food and drinking water on hand in case access to shops, clean water, or cooking facilities is interrupted.
Mrs Long-Dhonau said building this supply does not require panic buying or stockpiling.
She said: “That doesn’t mean panic-buying or turning the spare room into a mini supermarket.
“It simply means keeping a few useful supplies at home so you could manage comfortably for a few days if you couldn’t get to the shops, use your usual cooking appliances or turn on the tap.”
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She recommends gradually building up an “emergency cupboard” by adding an extra tin or packet to the weekly shop, spreading the cost over time and helping to keep items in date.
It is important to stock up on foods the household will actually eat, rather than just items with long shelf lives.
Mrs Long-Dhonau said: “Food that can be eaten without cooking is particularly important during a power outage.
“If electricity is unavailable, ovens, microwaves and kettles may not work, while fridges and freezers can only keep food cold for a limited period.”
Useful items include tinned fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines, tinned meat, baked beans, tinned vegetables and fruit, crackers, oatcakes, cereal bars, dried fruit, nuts, and peanut butter.
Long-life milk and fruit juice are also recommended.
Ms Long-Dhonau said comfort items such as tea, coffee, biscuits, and a favourite treat can provide reassurance, especially for children.
She also stressed the importance of storing drinking water.
Current UK guidance advises keeping at least 2.5 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, with extra needed for cooking, hygiene, babies, pets, and anyone with specific health needs.
Mrs Long-Dhonau said: “Always check the dates on bottled water and replace it when needed.”
An emergency kit should also be prepared, containing spare batteries, a charged power bank, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, a first-aid kit, battery-operated lights, candles and matches, essential medication, and copies of important information.
A head torch is particularly useful as it leaves both hands free.
Ms Long-Dhonau said: “Keep everything together in a place that is easy to reach, after all, you don’t want to be searching through three different cupboards in the dark while trying to remember where you last saw the batteries.”
For homes at risk of flooding, she advises storing emergency supplies upstairs or on high shelves, rather than at floor level or in a cellar.
Mrs Long-Dhonau said: “Having been flooded myself, I know how quickly an ordinary day can turn into chaos.
“Preparing in advance won’t necessarily prevent every disruption but it can remove some of the frantic decision-making when you are already under pressure.”
She encourages people to start small, with a few tins, bottled water, and a head torch, then gradually build up supplies over time.
Mrs Long-Dhonau said: “Ultimately, emergency preparedness is not about expecting disaster but about being ready and having a plan.”