General advice

Many emergencies that the UK has faced have been related to severe weather conditions. This has included:

• flooding
• gales
• snow
• freezing conditions
• heat waves

These incidents have resulted in people being evacuated from their homes, being stranded in freezing conditions and more deaths due to heat waves. Weather is therefore something for us all to take seriously as we go about our daily business.

The Island has experienced several cases of severe weather over the past few years. All have affected our community and businesses for several days. The information within these pages will provide advice and where to find information to deal with severe weather.

The Met Office put out warnings about severe weather on their website, on the radio and TV. They also provide lots of advice on weather disruptions and how to be weather ready.

Our news page runs live updates of any school closures.

Water issues

You can report a leak on Southern Water’s 24-hour leak line 0330 030 0146. For emergencies call 0330 303 068. You can also contact Southern Water online.

Southern Water also maintain a register of priority customers who may be vulnerable due to illness or age. You can make sure yourself or a relative or neighbour is added to this by calling 0800 027 0800 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Power cuts

If you have a power cut, call 105 to get up-to-date information. Further advice is available at SSE.

With weather alerts in place for the Isle of Wight and dropping temperatures, the winter shelter provision delivered by The Salvation Army provides warmth, food and shelter to anyone, 18 years or over, that find themselves without a place to stay.

If you are aware or in contact with someone without somewhere to stay, please encourage them to contact either the Housing Team on 01983 823040 (out of hours 01983 821105) or the Salvation Army on 01982 812743. Individuals 16 years or older with no place to stay can also contact the Housing Team.

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, you can also send an alert to Streetlink or call 0300 500 0914.

If you suspect someone is in immediate risk, harm or danger from sleeping rough, please telephone the Police on 999.