People have been urged not to risk their lives trying to get a 'storm selfie' as Storm Eunice triggers a red 'danger to life' alert from the Met Office
Storm Eunice is due to batter Britain with the rare severe weather warning issued for Friday from 7am to noon in parts of the South West and Wales due to the risk of flying debris.
Coastal communities are set to see large waves and beach material potentially being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and homes and businesses on Friday with an amber warning in place for much of England and Wales.
Jim Flory, for the Environment Agency, said: "A Met Office weather warning is in place for Storm Eunice, so people should take extreme care near any coastal areas.
"We urge people to stay safe and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking ‘storm selfies’.
Storm Eunice is forecast to cause a tidal surge along the north coast of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset on Friday, following hot on the heels of Storm Dudley.
Strong winds, large waves, coupled with the storm surge, are likely to cause wave-overtopping and flooding to exposed communities on the north coast during the high tide on Friday.
People are advised to stay away from coastal areas and keep away from shoreline roads and paths, piers and promenades.
The Met Office has described Eunice as a 'weather bomb' - an unofficial term for a low pressure syst
Prepare, Act, Survive
Residents can sign up for Environment Agency Flood Warning messages and prepare for flooding by following the ‘Prepare, Act, Survive’ guidance:
- prepare a bag that includes medical and insurance documents
- check the latest flood situation online
- know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water
- check your insurance to make sure you are covered for flood damage. If you rent your home, it is your responsibility to have insurance for your belongings.
- if you are flooded, call 999 if in immediate danger and follow advice from emergency services
The Met Office says Storm Dudley will bring a spell of very strong winds and possible disruption later Wednesday and into the small hours of Thursday.
It says Storm Eunice may cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds on Friday across southern, central and parts of northern England and Wales with an amber warning issued.
Storm Eunice - what to expect
- Flying debris resulting in danger to life
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Uprooted trees are likely
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties
Snow and wind are a risk for parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland on Friday.
This article was updated on Thursday at 2pm
