About this tool

If It Happens helps UK households understand their local situation and take practical steps to be better prepared — not just for one crisis, but for whatever comes next.

Our approach

We believe in steady resilience, not panic. Every recommendation on this site is designed to be taken gradually, over weeks — not as an urgent response. Small, consistent steps build more effective household resilience than a single large effort, and avoid placing additional strain on supply chains.

Think of it like keeping your car above a quarter tank rather than filling up when the light comes on. A bit of margin makes everything easier.

Why we built this

The current Strait of Hormuz tensions are the immediate prompt, but they're not the only reason. Supply chain disruptions, energy price shocks, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. We wanted a tool that helps people prepare sensibly — specific to where they live, based on real data, without the fear-mongering.

Data sources

Reports are generated from publicly available UK government data:

• ONS Postcode Directory — geographic and administrative boundaries
• ONS Rural-Urban Classification 2021 — area character
• DESNZ Sub-national Energy Statistics — gas grid connectivity
• NESO — electricity distribution network boundaries
• NHS Organisation Data Service — hospital locations
• Environment Agency — flood risk monitoring

All data is used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Limitations

This tool provides general guidance based on area-level data. It cannot account for your individual circumstances. Risk scores are indicative, not predictive. This is not official government advice — always follow guidance from your local authority and central government during an emergency.

For councils and businesses

We offer white-labelled versions of this tool for local authorities and business continuity reports for SMEs. Get in touch.