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Please see the information and links below for advice on how to deal with severe weather.

Please read the latest news release (12 March 2013) giving information about how Horsham District Council aims to maintain services during the current severe weather. The Council's Facebook and Twitter feeds will also be updated as soon as information is available.

Visit Horsham District Council's Facebook page  
Visit Horsham District Council's Twitter page

Be prepared for winter
In recent years across most of the UK, heavy snow, ice and flooding has caused school closures, road closures, interrupted rail travel, disrupted basic facilities and damaged property.  

Here below are some simple guidelines to help you and others prepare for severe winter weather.

Dealing with snow and ice
There are a number of things that you can do to help you prepare for, and deal with, snow and ice on the roads and pavements. Please see our dedicated Dealing with Snow and Ice page for more detailed information or download our advice sheets below for residents and businesses.

School Closures
Contact your local school, check their website, or visit West Sussex County Council’s 'Emergency Closures' page for the latest information on your child’s school status. West Sussex updates this page as soon as the information is received from headteachers. www.westsussex.gov.uk/schoolclosures

Dealing with Flooding
Practical advice on how to find out the latest information on local flooding as well as how get flood alerts and what to do to protect you and your property.

Flu vaccine
This should be taken by the vulnerable and their carers as soon as possible. For more details on how those at increased risk from flu can protect themselves visit The Department of Health’s webpage:

Weather warnings and alerts
Monitor these online or on television or local radio
Latest Weather Forecast (BBC)
Current warnings of severe weather (Met Office)
Severe weather advice (Met Office)

Travel news updates
Roads in Sussex
Roads in Surrey
Southern Trains
Compass Buses

Local radio
Tune to your local radio station for news updates
BBC Sussex - 104.8 and 95.3 FM 
Heart - 97.5 and 96.7 FM:

Heating your home
Have a portable gas powered fire on standby as an independent temporary heating supply. If you use heating oil, make use you have a good supply in stock.   For advice on how to heat your home efficiently, including details of emergency heating schemes, and grants for repairs or new heating systems and low cost domestic heating oil (including local oil clubs), visit our Warmer Homes for Less page.  

Don’t let supplies run low
Make sure you have at least five days worth of provisions at home, including any medicines you may need.  

Emergency contacts
Prepare a list of emergency numbers in case you need to call for assistance or advice during cold weather.  

Community involvement and neighbourliness
The cold weather can affect different members of the community in different ways. To support older and vulnerable people during periods of heavy snow and ice please consider the following:

• Be even more vigilant during the period of severe weather, and to keep an eye out for people who may be vulnerable.
• Try to call in regularly on vulnerable neighbours to see if they need help staying warm or getting provisions.
• Offer to clear your the paths of neighbours who may need help.
• If you have a four-wheel drive, a spare generator or useful skills (e.g. plumber, tree surgeon, first-aider), contact your local parish or neighbourhood council to see what assistance you can provide.  

Further information:

Driving safely
For more details on how to drive safely in snow and ice visit RAC winter driving tips.

Get ready for winter
Check out West Sussex County Council’s 'Get ready for winter' campaign for lots of advice and suggestions for the simple things you can do to help you and your family keep warm, healthy and safe through the cold weather – as well as saving money.

Disclaimer

Horsham District Council is not responsible for the contents or reliability of the linked web sites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

Information collated by Horsham District Council.
Last updated: 25 January 2013