The Environment Agency is urging coastal communities to prepare for expected coastal flooding and strong winds from Storm Eunice.
The storm is continuing to bring strong winds across the UK, resulting in high waves and a potential storm surge coinciding with high spring tides. As a result of this extreme weather, flood alerts and flood may be issued across areas in the North West.
The Environment Agency is working around the clock to help keep communities and people safe. Teams are working to erect barriers, clear screens and close flood gates and Incident rooms have also been scaled up to support potentially impacted communities in the North West.
Members of the public are also being urged to sign up for free flood warnings and ensure they know what to do in case of flooding.
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “Strong winds could bring coastal flooding to parts of the North West, through the early hours of Friday morning and into the early afternoon. This is due to Storm Eunice resulting in high waves and potential storm surge coinciding with the start of a period of spring tides.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground closing gates, erecting barriers and clearing screens where flood debris can build up, and stand ready to operate further flood defences if needed. Working with our partners in local resilience forums, we are planning for emergency response to keep people safe where flooding does occur.
“The public need to take extreme care over the next 24 hours – Storm Eunice is a danger. We urge people to stay safe on the coast and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking ‘storm selfies’. Flooding of low lying coastal roads is also possible and people should avoid driving through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“Type ‘check my flood risk’ online to sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date, follow @EnvAgencyNW on Twitter for the latest flood information or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.”
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders 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 red warning area indicates a significant danger to life as extremely strong winds provide the potential for damage to structures and flying debris.
“Although the most exposed coastal areas in the south and west could see gusts in excess of 90mph, winds will remain notably strong further inland, with gusts of between 70-80mph for most within the amber warning area.”
