Storm Floris: Check how to protect yourself and your farm 

The yellow wind warning was issued on Friday, 1st August 2025, covering the northern half of the UK, from Northern Ireland, North Wales, northern England, and the whole of Scotland, where the strongest winds are more likely to be recorded.  

The warning has been in force from 6am on Monday, 4th August, until 6am on Tuesday, 5th August 2025.  

Matthew Lehnert, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland.” 

My Lehnert added that there is a small chance some locations could even record gusts of 85mph. 

Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/2025 storm naming season. Storm Éowyn, which occurred in late January, was the last named storm to affect the UK, the Met Office confirmed. 

#StormFloris will bring unseasonably strong winds on Monday

Gusts may reach 85mph across exposed parts of Scotland

A wind warning is in place, so stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/rlLBStKJPe

— Met Office (@metoffice) August 1, 2025

How you can protect yourself and your farm, NFU Mutual advises

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 while 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 the 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:  

• Be aware that 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.    

Check the weather here.