Met Office warns Brits in nine places need 'emergency' kit for 12 hours

Met Office forecasters have warned people in nine regions of the UK should consider getting an "emergency kit" prepared.

Forecasters warned thunderstorms are set to blight millions of Brits on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and some hail. Regions along the east coast of England from Yorkshire and the Humber down into East Anglia are set to be affected. The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning last from 7am to 7pm on Sunday. It is expected that between 15mm to 25mm of rain could fall within two or three hours at any given place, with peaks of between 40mm to 60mm possible.

According to the Met Office, people in the affected areas should consider preparing a flood plan and emergency flood kit. In its weather warning, the Met Office said: "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

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"People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

"If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground."

Which regions are affected?

East Midlands

• Lincolnshire

East of England

• Cambridgeshire
• Norfolk
• Peterborough
• Suffolk

Yorkshire and Humber

• East Riding of Yorkshire
• Kingston upon Hull
• North East Lincolnshire
• North Lincolnshire

The warning comes ahead of an expected northwest/southeast split in the weather from July 10. In its long-range forecast, a Met Office spokesperson said: "Further south and east, high pressure will likely dominate with a fair amount of dry and sunny weather to be had.

"With this, there is a signal for increasing heat and humidity and the potential for another period of hot weather to develop by the second weekend of July, probably lasting into the start of the following week. Given the anticipated high temperatures, the chance of thunderstorms also increases, though widespread rainfall across southern areas looks unlikely."

Towards the end of the month, temperatures are likely to be above average with a "continued, and perhaps higher than normal, chance of occasional hot spells or heatwaves, especially in the South East of England."