Severe Weather Advice
There is nothing that can be done to stop severe weather, but there are things that can be done to prepare for it.
At times Ceredigion may experience the following:
- Gales and storms - damage to buildings and trees, risk to high-sided vehicles and other traffic, vehicle collisions, utility and telephone failure
- Heavy snow - roads and streets impassable, increased journey times, hampered delivery of essential services and supplies, vehicles abandoned, vehicle collisions, utility and telephone failure
- Heavy rain - flooding, hazardous driving conditions, power surges
- Fog - increased journey times, vehicle collisions
- Low temperatures, ice - dangerous roads and pavements, vehicle collisions, utility and telephone failure, increased risk to vulnerable people.
During times of severe weather Ceredigion County Council will do whatever is possible to alleviate the situation. For example:
- Providing advice and information
- Salting, gritting and snow clearance
- Flood response
- Dealing with dangerous buildings
- Opening rest centres if required
- Maintaining home care
- Closing schools if necessary
- Checking and clearing drains and culverts; and
- Continuing to provide, insofar as possible, its regular services.
It is the precautions and actions individuals and communities can take, prior to and during severe weather, however, that will have the biggest effect on how individuals and communities cope with it, or how badly it affects them. Examples of such precautions include:
- Keeping properties in good repair, adequately insulated and lagged
- Keeping drains and gullies clear of blockages, leaves etc.
- Checking the adequacy of insurance policies
- Actively checking weather forecasts and warnings
- Keeping in stock some basic provisions, including a torch etc.
- Avoiding, where possible, the use of cars and other motor vehicles when road conditions are treacherous
- Being "good neighbours" and checking on vulnerable people in the neighbourhood
- Check your own medical prescription requirements
- Using "common sense".