Severe storms

If a storm is on its way

• Check your home preparedness. Could you manage without electricity, water and heating if there were to be a long-lasting power cut?
• Bring indoors or anchor down any loose items on patios and balconies, such as trampolines, garden furniture, tools and other items that could blow away.
• Retract awnings.
• Make sure that computers, tablets, mobile phones and power banks (portable chargers) are fully charged.
• If the forecast warns for heavy rain, it´s a good idea to clear gutters and drains from leaves and other things that might prevent water from running off.

Read more about how you can get prepared on our page on home preparedness

Follow the weather forecast on SMHI´s website

Read more about how to protect your house from flooding

During the storm

• Stay indoors. There is a risk that you could be injured by, for example, falling trees or branches carried by strong winds.
• Make sure windows and doors are properly closed.
• Avoid driving. Storms can cause traffic disruptions, and there is also a risk that trees and lampposts, for example, may fall onto the road.
• Follow SMHI’s weather forecasts and warnings.
• Tune in to Sveriges Radio P4 to follow what is happening.

Advice during lightning strikes and thunderstorms

The risk of being struck by lightning is small, but a direct lightning strike can cause serious injuries or be fatal. You can count the seconds between the lightning flash and the thunderclap to estimate how far away the lightning has struck. A three-second delay between the lightning flash and the thunderclap means the lightning has struck one kilometre away. The risk is probably over when 30 minutes have passed since the last thunderclap or lightning flash.

During a thunderstorm:

• Stay indoors.
• Avoid being out in open fields.
• Unplug power cords from wall outlets.
• Do not use computers with the power cord plugged in.
• Avoid standing under trees or other tall objects.
• Avoid being in or on the water.

After the storm

• Wait with going outside until you are sure the storm has subsided. Even if it looks calm, there may still come strong winds.
• Do not go near any power lines that have fallen to the ground. They may be carrying electricity and be life-threatening.
• Be very careful when walking in the woods. Trees may be damaged and could suddenly fall.