Farmers warned to prepare for rain and strong winds ahead of Storm Darragh 

Winds of up to 80mph are expected in the South West and North West of England, South West Scotland, and Wales and Northern Ireland on Saturday, with the potential for power cuts, building damages, falling trees, flying debris and flooding disrupting farm work and transport routes. 

A yellow warning for wind remains in place until Sunday morning. 

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, Hannah Binns, warned that isolated rural farms, dwellings and communities are more at risk from extreme weather. 

“With severe gales of up to 80mphs expected alongside rainfall, we urge everyone to plan ahead and take care if working outside. 

“Safety for farmers, family members and workers should always be the number one priority, and while fully understanding the pressures farmers are under, it is vital they avoid taking risks which could lead to injury or fatalities.  

“Farmers can consider moving livestock to higher ground to protect them from flood water as well as moving machinery and electrical items,” Ms Binns added. 

Tell others where you are 

The NFU Mutual expert said that it is important that farmers who work alone tell someone where they will be and what time they should be back. 

They should also carry a charged mobile while working outside and use the What3Words app to help provide a location in the event of an emergency. 

Ms Binns added: “It is also worth checking alternative fuel and power sources in case of a power cut or disruption, such as making sure generators are in working condition and able to run at full load for long periods of time.” 

Protecting yourself and your farm in a storm  

Before the storm :

• Stay alert for Met Office weather warnings. 
• Regularly inspect your farm and keep on top of maintenance by carrying out necessary repairs to buildings, fences and walls whilst the weather is calm. 
• Check that tiles, slates, and roofing sheets are in place and put away any items that cannot be secured. 
• Avoid being near barn doors if there are high winds.
• Make sure gutters are not leaking and are clear of leaves and other debris. 
• Protect and lag water pipes in vulnerable areas and know where the water supply is so that you can turn it off in the event of burst pipes.  
• Ensure you have a good tree inspection programme in place, paying particular attention to trees bordering buildings, roads, railway lines and rights of way. 
• Prepare for power cuts: have torches and batteries to hand and make sure any generators are ready to use if required. 
• Plan evacuation routes to get staff and livestock to safety in the case of extreme weather such as floods – identify higher ground that you can move livestock to in event of flooding. 
• Have your insurer’s emergency helpline available.

 During the storm: 

• Do not leave the house or make journeys unless absolutely necessary. 
• If you need to leave the house, avoid the sheltered side of walls when walking. 
• If journeys are essential, drive slowly and carefully, staying aware of high winds on exposed roads and ice and water on the road. 
• Do not attempt emergency repairs during the storm. 
• Keep all building doors and windows closed. 

 After the storm:

• Be aware after a storm or weather event, power cables or powerlines may have been brought down.  
• Don’t enter any buildings that could be unsafe following a storm. 
• Report any damage to your insurer as soon as possible.  

Reduce risk of damage

With wind storms often causing more damage than expected, NFU Mutual is also urging all home and business owners to take action now to reduce the risk posed by Storm Darragh.

Andrew Chalk, home insurance expert at NFU Mutual, said: “We know from experience that wind storms can cause millions of pounds of damage and be hugely disruptive to thousands of people.

“We have some warning of Storm Darragh so our message to home and business owners is to take action now to prevent damage, if you are able to do so – during a storm is too late.

“Gale-force winds can rip tiles from roofs or branches from trees, or topple walls, so if it’s safe and you’re able to do so you should think about securing roofs and walls and pruning overhanging branches. Likewise, loose garden furniture or ornaments can be thrown around in storms, effectively becoming battering rams, so tie them down or store them away from the wind.

“Make sure vehicles are kept in a safe place and ensure windows and doors can be and are shut during the storm.

“As well as taking the steps above, business owners should have a storm plan in place which ensures the safety of all workers and has a clear plan for maintaining contact. Prepare for power cuts and check any back-up generators are in working order.”

Mr Chalk added that isolated rural properties and those on the coast are generally most at risk from storm damage, so the insurer urges people in these areas to be especially vigilant.

“As ever, NFU Mutual’s loss adjusters and network of Agents will be ready to assist customers and move claims along, so have your insurer’s details handy and don’t delay in making a claim. NFU Mutual can pay some smaller claims immediately, so it might be you can start arranging repairs straight away,” the expert added.

NFU Mutual’s storm resilience guide

• Make sure all doors and windows can be securely closed.
• Prepare for power cuts: Have torches and batteries to hand and make sure any generators are ready to use if required. If you are using candles, make sure you use them safely and extinguish when leaving the room, and make sure nothing hangs over the candles.
• Inspect your property and make repairs to things like loose fence panels or gates.
• Make sure gutters are not leaking and are clear of leaves and other debris.
• Have a space to put loose outdoor furniture like garden chairs and trampolines. If you do not have an indoor space in which to put them, ensure you have a means of tying down or otherwise securing the furniture.
• Safely check that tiles, slates and roofing sheets are in place, securing any that are not.
• Inspect trees on your property, removing loose or overhanging branches which may cause damage to your or others’ property in a storm.
• In case of heavy rain, repair or unblock any faulty drains.
• If you have a garage, clear a space for your vehicle in the event of a storm. If you do not have a garage, plan where you can park vehicle during a storm – this should be away from any walls, fences or branches which could fall and damage the vehicle.
• Protect and lag water pipes in vulnerable areas and know where the water supply is so that you can turn it off in the event of burst pipes.
• Stay alert for Met Office weather warnings in your area.
• Have your insurer’s emergency helpline number available.

Additional advice for business owners

In addition to the above, business owners can:

• Ensure you have emergency contact details for employees to maintain contact during an extreme weather event.
• If you have company vehicles, make sure these are parked away from walls, fences or branches which could damage the vehicles.
• Make sure outdoor signage or displays can be secured or brought inside.
• Ensure you have adequate signage warning customers of things like wet floors that may be more common during extreme weather.
• Prepare an emergency evacuation route in the event of unexpectedly severe weather.
• Ensure central heating will come on during freezing weather to avoid frozen pipes, and consider procuring sandbags to protect your business in the event of a flood.
• Make sure you have a way of communicating closures with customers.
• Consider transport routes to the business and whether traveling will be safe and practical.

While driving

• Drive slowly and steadily and leave larger gaps between vehicles. Wet conditions can increase stopping distances by ten times.
• In windy weather, leave plenty of room when passing other road users, particularly vulnerable road users like walkers, cyclists and motorcyclists.
• Avoid braking suddenly, slowing down gently before corners and junctions.
• Accelerate slowly, keeping revs low.
• Take care coming up to junctions where road markings may be less visible.

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