The Top 8 Disasters to Prepare For Now!

Disaster Preparedness

The Top 8 Disasters to Prepare For Now!

Introduction to Disaster Preparedness in the UK

Why Disaster Preparedness Matters

In an unpredictable world, being prepared for emergencies is not just prudent—it’s essential. That’s why we prep, right, to prepare for the worst. For us here in the United Kingdom, a country prone to a variety of potential disasters, having a well-thought-out preparedness plan can mean the difference between safety and vulnerability during times of crisis. Read on to safely prepare for the future.

From natural calamities like floods and severe weather to societal disruptions such as power outages and economic instability, the UK faces diverse challenges that necessitate proactive planning and readiness. What’s most, we’re beginning to see the gap between both natural and man-made disasters drastically reducing.

Don’t forget the UK is also keen to help out in conflicts around the world too, most recently lending a tremendous amount of arms and resources to the Ukrainian conflict, so we’re probably making a few enemies too.

The Role of Prepping in the UK

We’d say that prepping is both a lifestyle and a mindset choice; focusing on anticipating and mitigating potential disasters. It involves taking practical steps to ensure personal and family safety, maintain essential services, and sustain basic needs in adverse conditions. In the UK, where weather patterns can be unpredictable, emergency services are swamped daily, and social-political changes can impact daily life, prepping serves as a proactive approach to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

What This Guide Covers

This comprehensive guide aims to equip UK residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to prepare for what we think are the top eight disasters that we could face in our island. Each section will delve into specific disaster scenarios, providing practical steps and strategies to enhance preparedness. Whether you’re a seasoned prepper looking to refine your plans or someone new to the concept seeking fundamental insights, this guide offers actionable advice tailored to the unique challenges of the UK environment.

That said, these top eight disasters are our subjective list, and some may be well down on your radar. So use this guide as just that, a guide, not a definitive list.

How to Use This Guide

Each disaster scenario discussed will be broken down into actionable steps, ensuring clarity and ease of implementation. From understanding the risks associated with each disaster type to practical tips on stocking emergency supplies and developing response plans, this guide will empower you to build a resilient and adaptable preparedness strategy. 

By following the structured approach outlined in this guide, you can significantly enhance your readiness and peace of mind in the face of adversity.

TLDR – The Top 8 Disasters to Prepare For in the UK

  1. Flooding and Severe Weather
  2. Civil Unrest
  3. Power Outages
  4. Terrorist Attacks
  5. Cyber Attack
  6. Pandemics
  7. Supply-Chain Collapse
  8. Nuclear Accident

First off, nearly every disaster listed here should see you grabbing your bug-out bag. Haven’t made your bug-out bag yet, check out our article on that. Items that should be in your bug-out bag are not listed in the preparation steps for the disasters in this article, because they’d be listed in all 8!

Let’s delve deeper into each potential disaster scenario and explore comprehensive strategies for effective preparation and mitigation.

1. Flooding and Severe Weather

Flooding poses one of the most significant threats in the UK at the moment, largely due to our dense network of rivers and canals, our coastal areas, and pretty naff weather patterns. Intense rainfall and storms seem to overwhelm drainage systems more and more easily, causing rivers to overflow and flood low-lying regions and urban areas. 

Severe storms also bring high-wind and lots of snow, while heat-waves cripples everything it seems! Severe weather now poses a significant threat in the UK, evolving swiftly into emergencies that demand rapid response and preparedness. Thankfully we have half-decent forecasting – but are you signed up to get prompts of any pending storms? 

Intense storms and extreme heatwaves can overwhelm infrastructure, causing secondary widespread flooding, transport network collapse, and power outages. Such conditions will severely impact public safety, strain and exceed both police and the NHS capabilities, as well as threaten critical utilities.

In an ironic twist, flooding often means that mains drinking water is unavailable or contaminated. For this reason, we highly recommend looking at our Best Water Purification Systems article.

Climate change is exacerbating all these risks, leading to more frequent and severe flooding events, longer heat-waves and colder winters.

Roads will be closed and clogged, properties damaged, and the risk of injuries or fatalities escalate dramatically during these events. Compounded by surging demand, dwindling resources and impassable roads, emergency services are unlikely to heed any call you make. Effective emergency planning, early warning systems, and community readiness are essential to mitigate the impact of severe weather emergencies in the UK.

Preparation Steps for Flooding

Recent examples include the 2020 floods brought on by storms Ciara and Dennis, as well as the devastating Cumbria and Lancashire floods of 2015.

2. Civil Unrest

Various social and political scenarios, as well as developing disasters, can lead to secondary emergencies, such as civil unrest. Civil unrest presents significant dangers due to their potential for widespread disruption, unpredictability and human violence. We’ve seen in the news how innocent people can be caught up and injured or killed, or riled up enough to loot or lash out.

These situations often arise from political grievances, economic disparities, or social tensions, escalating into protests, riots, and even conflict. In such environments, public safety can deteriorate in seconds, posing risks to individuals, businesses, and core infrastructure. 

Essential services get terminated or destroyed, and travel becomes potentially hazardous. Preparation for civil unrest involves securing personal safety measures and developing contingency plans for evacuation or sheltering in place. Maintaining communication and staying informed are critical during these uncertain times, however comms are one of the first things to also fail.

Preparation Steps against local civil unrest:

  • Have a plan for barricading and securing your location
  • Be vigilant and aware of the social-political area you’re in
  • Have a comprehensive escape plan that takes into account the location of your go-bag
  • Learn first-aid, triage and self-defence 

While they were largely aimed at targeting infrastructure, businesses and the police, there were notable riots in 2011 (Tottenham in London and later other cities), as well as 2021 in Bristol. Armed mobs torching upturned vehicles and buildings is a sure way for things to escalate uncontrollably.

Thankfully for us here in the UK, the majority of civil unrest is not going to see streets filled with gun-toting mobs. Yes there’ll be weapons, but mostly melee or incendiary in nature. Still terrifying and deadly, but a different threat to having angry assault-rifle equipped mobs.

3. Power Outages

Power outages lasting minutes or a few hours usually have few consequences, however extreme solar-storms, cyber attacks or catastrophic failures could lead to long-lasting blackouts.

Prolonged power outages can quickly escalate into various disaster scenarios, severely impacting daily life and infrastructure. Without electricity, essential services such as communication, transportation, healthcare, and water supply may be disrupted. Homes and businesses lose heating, refrigeration, and lighting capabilities, posing health and safety risks. 

Economic activities grind to a halt, exacerbating financial losses. The communication blackout also significantly increases panic, while also crippling relief efforts.

In extreme cases, prolonged outages can compromise public safety, especially in urban areas dependent on electronic security systems and emergency services. 

Prepare for Sustained Power Outages:

  • Invest in alternative power sources like generators or solar panels.
  • Ensure your mobile devices are always charged and have backup power banks.
  • Develop a family communication plan and establish emergency contacts.
  • Learn how to manually operate garage doors, gates, and other electrically powered equipment.
  • Keep vehicles fueled and have emergency cash on hand.
  • Protect sensitive electronics with surge protectors and consider unplugging appliances to prevent damage from power surges.

Read our new article: A Survival Guide on What to Do in a Blackout

While the UK has seen short blackouts, an international prolonged blackout example occurred in Texas during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. The severe winter weather overwhelmed the state’s power grid, resulting in millions of Texans without electricity for several days!

4. Terrorist Attacks

Terrorist threats can range from bombings and mass-shootings to biological or chemical attacks. They aim to instil fear, disrupt society, and cause harm. One of the hardest aspects to prep for is that these attacks are unannounced and can’t be forecasted for, while also being coordinated to evolve very quickly.

Developing situational awareness, maintaining communication plans, and having emergency supplies ready can mitigate risks. Additionally, training in first aid and self-defence can enhance readiness in responding to such emergencies effectively. Being prepared includes knowing when to evacuate, how to secure property, and when to seek safety in secure locations.

Preparing for a Terrorist Attack:

  • Purchase a chemical-attack wash-kit (vs acid attacks etc)
  • Have a plan for barricading and securing your location
  • Have a plan to arm yourself with everyday items (kitchen, sports equipment, tools etc)
  • Have a comprehensive escape plan that takes into account the location of your go-bag
  • Learn first-aid, triage and self-defence 

5. Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks represent a significant and growing concern in the UK due to their potential to disrupt critical infrastructure, compromise sensitive data, and undermine national security. As a digitally advanced society, we rely heavily on interconnected networks for essential services such as power, NHS, banking, rail and airports. 

What we’re listing here is a cyber attack against national infrastructure, service or other national asset. Not you downloading a dodgy file and getting malware! 

A successful sustained and nation-wide cyber attack could paralyse critical UK sectors, causing widespread economic damage and social disruption. Moreover, cyber threats constantly evolve, ranging from mass ransomware attacks on UK businesses to state-sponsored espionage targeting government institutions.

A quick example of how widespread a mass cyber attack could be – look at the accidental July 2024 Crowdstrike outage [Forbes, BBC – Crowdstrike]. Within moments, banks couldn’t issue cash, airports and train stations crumbled to a halt, hospitals turned to paper records. And that ‘attack’, essentially a Denial-of-Service attack, was purely accidentally [AFAIK].

Securing digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and fostering public awareness are crucial steps in mitigating the risks posed by cyber attacks in the UK.

Prepare for a nationwide Cyber Attack:

6. Pandemics

Pandemics, airborne biological agents, viruses and pathogens. One of the most scary emergencies to plan for, but also one of the most critical.

Thanks to COVID, we’ve already seen how the rapid spread of infectious diseases can overwhelm our healthcare systems, strain emergency services and their finite resources, and pose substantial risks to public health. 

Recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the potential for such outbreaks to disrupt daily life, economies, and social stability. Preparing for pandemics involves robust public health measures, being aware of early detection and response capability here in the UK, any vaccination programs, and community resilience strategies. 

Preparation against another Pandemic:

  • Stay informed about local health advisories and follow guidance from the UK’s public health authority
  • Increase your stockpiled reserve to allow for a significant period of time being isolated / quarantine
  • Pack vitamin and health supplements
  • Attempt to maintain a healthy lifestyle to support immune function beforehand
  • Ensure vaccinations are up to date, including the NHS’s winter flu shots etc
  • Have a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and disinfectants.
  • Prepare for potential quarantine or isolation measures, including activities to stay occupied at home.

7. Supply-Chain Collapse

A supply-chain collapse, particularly in food and petrol, presents a critical threat due to its potential to disrupt essential supplies and impact societal stability. In the event of a supply-chain breakdown affecting food distribution, shortages could lead to panic buying, price gouging, and food insecurity. Vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, such as disruptions in transportation or agricultural production, amplify these risks.

Similarly, a collapse in the petrol supply chain could result from disruptions in oil refining, distribution networks, or geopolitical factors affecting fuel imports. This could lead to fuel shortages, affecting transportation, emergency services, and daily commerce.

Preparing for supply-chain collapses involves diversifying supply sources, strategic planning, as well as maintaining your own reserves in one or two discreet locations.

Preparation Steps for a Supply-Chain Collapse Event

  • Stockpile larger quantities of non-perishable food, water, and essential supplies (remember the panic-induced toilet paper shortage of 2021-22!)
  • Cultivate a home garden (this is also good for your mental health)
  • Have an alternative cooking method and fuel for it
  • Have a way to safely purify water
  • Stockpile fuel at home (1-2 cans of petrol)
  • Have alternative transport options available, this can simply be a usable bicycle

8. Nuclear Accidents

The potential disasters of any of our nuclear power plants melting down or nuclear weapons being used in the UK are grave concerns due to their catastrophic impacts on human health and society at large. It’d also contaminate both air and waterways, significantly impacting survival opportunities.

A nuclear power plant meltdown, though rare, could result from equipment failure, natural disasters, or human error or action, releasing radioactive material into the environment and necessitating large-scale evacuations, long-term health risks, and environmental contamination.

On the other hand, the use of nuclear weapons in the UK, whether through conflict, terrorism, or accident, would result in immediate devastation, widespread casualties, and long-lasting radiation effects. The consequences would extend beyond physical destruction to include societal destabilisation, economic collapse, and global geopolitical ramifications.

Preparation Steps for a Nuclear Accident

  • Understanding radiation risks and protective measures.
  • Identify any nearby military, research or power stations that utilise nuclear components
  • Purchase and research iodine tablets and radiation detection devices
  • Stockpile large quantities of food, but also significant quantities of water
  • Prepare to be able to treat burns, but also learn decontamination methods

20 Other Potential Disasters to Prepare For

While we believe the list above covers a significant portion of the risk landscape in the UK, no-one is able to put together a comprehensive list of every potential disaster. If you’ve given significant consideration to the above points, maybe think about the following disasters and if you’re prepared for them.

  1. Drought or water supply contamination
  2. NHS shutdown
  3. Gas and oil delivery network disruption
  4. National banks inaccessible / compromised
  5. Emergency services unavailable [Grab a cheap reliable first-aid kit]
  6. Air-borne contamination
  7. Train or plane crash
  8. Earthquake
  9. Industrial chemical spills or gas release
  10. Economic collapse
  11. Solar-flare or EMP strike
  12. Military strikes against army, naval or RAF bases
  13. Widespread fires
  14. Accidental detonation of NBC payload
  15. Power plant / power delivery failure [Read: A Survival Guide on What to Do in a Blackout]
  16. Contaminated fuel supplies
  17. Ports and airports shutdown
  18. Hostile government takeover
  19. GPS or communication system blackouts
  20. Armed uprising

The UK’s National Risk Register

Did you know the UK produces a public facing document that provides an assessment of the most significant risks that could affect the country. Like our guide here, it breaks down risks facing the UK into pandemics, flooding, terrorism, cyber attacks, severe weather and industrial action. It calculates the likelihood of a natural or accidental incident occurring within 5 years, or 2 years for malicious events such as terrorism and cyber-attacks.

It covers some basic advice as well as identities which groups of people are likely to be affected the most, by each category.

Well worth a read to help you prepare – checkout the Governments National Risk Register document [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ca1dfe19f5622669f3c1b1/2023_NATIONAL_RISK_REGISTER_NRR.pdf]

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