Yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain have been issued overnight – as Storm Benjamin sweeps through the UK.
The Met Office has issued four alerts – and has warned flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are possible.
Forecasters say damage to buildings is possible, with “a small chance of injuries and danger to life being caused by large waves” as the storm moves from the English Channel to the North Sea.
Britons who live in coastal areas are being urged to check their properties and “consider preparing a flood plan”.
Check the weather forecast where you are
A yellow warning for rain covering most of southern England, the East Midlands, parts of Wales and Yorkshire came into force at midnight and will expire at 6pm tonight.
Up to 30mm of rain is expected quite widely – rising to 50mm in some places, and even 90mm in isolated areas.
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An additional alert covering East Anglia and Lincolnshire expires at 9pm.
Large parts of southeast England are also under a yellow warning for wind from 3am until midnight – with gusts of 50mph to 60mph widely possible, potentially rising to 70mph near coasts.
A final warning for wind applies in Cornwall, Devon and the west coast of Wales from 6am until 3pm.
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Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low pressure system.
“The public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.”
Storm Benjamin was named by Meteo France, the French national meteorological service.
