Photograph by Julian Burgess
Gales force winds are battering Scotland and the north of England, the east of England is being warned about floods, and London is preparing for the biggest tidal surge for decades.
The Met office has issued amber warnings for Scotland and the north of England for strong winds, rain, snow, fog, and ice during the storm.
Large waves and high tides could cause chaos across the UK, with sea levels forecast to reach similar heights as during the 1953 floods, which left 307 people dead.
The Thames Barrier has been closed in order to slow the expected tidal surge, with the Environment Agency warning that 30,000 properties could be flooded. 26 severe flood warnings have been issued ahead of what the Environment Agency is calling “most serious coastal tidal surge for over 60 years in England”.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is to chaired a Cobra meeting this morning to discus the government’s response to the storm and possible floods.
