Airline and holiday operator TUI has urged passengers to check their flight status and allow extra journey time to airports as Storm Eunice hits the UK.
Millions of people have been urged to stay at home for the day, as one of the worst storms in a generation hits the UK.
Schools, roads and businesses have shut, with major disruption to the travel network due to concerns over flying debris caused by gusts of up to 90mph because of Storm Eunice.
In a statement to customers, TUI said: "We’re closely monitoring the situation and would advise customers to allow extra journey time to the airport in case of any disruption to roads and rail networks.
"Customers can check their flight status from the TUI website or the home page of their departure airport."
East Midlands Airport has also urged flyers to check with their airline before setting off.
Homes have been left without power, while the Met Office issued two ultra rare “red” weather warnings – from 7am until midday Friday along the coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as the south coast of Wales, and from 10am until 3pm over the East of England and London – due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and storm surge.
And weather watchers have been urged to stay away from the coastline, with Roy Stokes from the Environment Agency describing travelling to take pictures in such hazardous conditions as “probably the most stupid thing you can do”.
A separate amber weather warning is also in place for gusts up to 80mph covering most of England from 5am to 9pm, as well as yellow warnings for snow in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Home Office minister Damian Hinds said the Army is on “high readiness stand-by” to help.
The Met Office added that the dangerous weather phenomenon known as a sting jet – a small area of highly intense wind inside a storm – could form later on Friday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “After the impacts from Storm Dudley for many on Wednesday, Storm Eunice will bring damaging gusts in what could be one of the most impactful storms to affect southern and central parts of the UK for a few years.”
The Met Office also took the unusual step of issuing a severe weather alert with National Highways for strong winds covering the whole of the country’s strategic road network from 6am to 6pm.
The Environment Agency has issued 10 severe flood warnings – eight along the Severn and two along the Wye – meaning there is a danger to life, as well as dozens of flood warnings and more than 100 flood alerts.
Western Power Distribution said more than 1,200 homes in Devon and Cornwall – where Storm Eunice hit on Friday morning – are out of power.
Follow any storm updates in our live blog here.
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