People living in houses that are expected to be hit by flooding in as many as 13 UK regions this weekend have been given drastic advice on how to prepare for the worst.

After the Met Office issued rain and snow warnings across 13 regions, those who have checked the forecasts and are expecting to be flooded are being advised on what to do to protect their homes.

In advice on dealing with flooding, the Met Office and the UK government urge homes to turn off their gas, water and electricity supplies to protect their property.

You should only switch off these three supplies if it is safe to do so – make sure you don’t touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water.

You will usually find your water stop tap inside your home where your water supply comes in or outside near your property’s boundary under a cover. Your gas shut-off valve is next to your gas meter, and your mains electricity cut-off is on your fuse board with a big on-and-off switch.

The National Grid advises: “If flood water is about to enter your property, turn off your electricity supply using the isolator switch or fuse unit. Only attempt this if it’s safe to do so, and never take any unnecessary risks. You can speak to your insurer or a qualified electrician if you need further advice. Your meter could be inside your property or outside in a dedicated meter cabinet.

“Never touch any electrical appliances, cables, or equipment while standing in floodwater. Please don’t touch any appliances, cables, or equipment that has been touched by floodwater, as they may not be safe.”

The 13 UK regions forecast to be affected by heavy rain this weekend, with yellow weather warnings in place and a potential risk of flooding, are:

• Central, Tayside and Fife
• East Midlands
• Grampian
• Highlands and Eilean Siar
• London and South East England
• North East England
• North West England
• South West England
• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
• Strathclyde
• Wales
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and Humber

As well as heavy rainfall, the UK is bracing for a deluge of snow, ice and gale force winds as Storm Bert arrives this weekend.

Multiple severe weather warnings are in force for Saturday and Sunday, with up to 40cm of snow forecast to fall in some areas and winds of up to 70mph.

Scotland, north Wales, and northern England are expected to see the worst of the wintry weather before the storm gives way to rain on Saturday morning across the southwest and southern England, later becoming very heavy and persistent overnight and into Sunday.

The Met Office has warned that accumulations between 50 and 75mm are expected to fall widely, while some areas could see up to 150mm, accompanied by strong southerly winds.

To make matters worse, the rapid melting of lying snow could flood some areas, damage homes and businesses, and cause possible power cuts and mobile phone outages.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “Storm Bert is what we call a ‘multi-hazard event’, bringing snow, rain and wind to the UK for the majority of the weekend. Multiple National Severe Weather Warnings are in place and will be added to and amended over the weekend. It’s possible this may be at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”