‘Nature is in charge’: What it’s like to live on a houseboat during a storm

That is, if your house was at the whims of the waves. 

‘There are some things I need to consider, like making sure the tow ropes are secure because the wind does blow you all around – not great if you’re someone who gets seasick,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.

‘I also need to make sure nothing can blow off the roof or decking,’ she adds. ‘I have often been found swimming in the river after a storm to retrieve plants, wheelbarrows, all sorts of heavy objects that you wouldn’t think the wind would take.’

As well as watching out for flying objects, houseboat dwellers need to make sure their canopies stay intact.

‘The stern canopy is probably one of the most fragile parts when getting pelted with wind and rain,’ says Daisy, who lives on a narrowboat on the River Nene in Cambridgeshire.

‘When it gets really really windy, you just have to hope that it stays strong. Other than checking they are secured and making sure everything is zipped up, though, there is not much else you can do.​’

Claudia, who lives on a Dutch tug boat called Else on the River Deben in Woodbridge, also worries about losing her belongings to the wind. 

To combat this, she makes sure to take notice of where she is positioned in relation to the wind. 

‘Wind direction is important to consider during a storm like today’s,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.

‘If the wind is coming from the land, I’ll be more sheltered than if it’s from the river.  

‘Thankfully, my boat is smaller than large boats with high topsides which are more prone to being thrown around, but I still need to make sure everything is tied down and that my boat is stable.’

As well as keeping things secure, just going about daily life can be a bit of a struggle too. 

‘During a storm, the boat can rock so much that things fall off shelves and drawers can open, so most of my drawers are secured with magnets. 

‘I also can’t do any jewellery making in a windy storm as it is too dangerous to solder or file, which is the hardest part of living on a houseboat during a storm for me,’ says Stacey.

‘Plus, showering can be dangerous as you can easily lose your balance.’

Still, neither Daisy, Claudia or Stacey would have it any other way.

Despite getting offers to stay at a friend or family member’s house for the night during the storm, Stacey says she prefers to stay on the boat.

Claudia went as far as to say it’s ‘really nice’ being close to a storm, ‘for the warmth and safety of a wheelhouse’.

‘The noise, movement, gulls flying backwards, are all reminders that nature is in charge,’ she says. 

‘Plus,’ she adds, ‘There’s always good community support during a storm, with people helping each other out if things blow away, small boats drift off or gangplanks [or footbridges] fall in the river.’

Daisy seconds this: ‘It’s nice to have a group of people around you, looking out for you, and letting you know if they see anything happening outside your boat that you should be aware of,’ she says. 

‘My favourite part about being on a houseboat in a storm is listening to the rain (it sounds like when you are in a glass conservatory), enjoying the rocking of the boat, and watching the wind and rain on the water from the window or cruiser stern, whilst staying toasty warm and safe inside.’

Do you have a story to share?