Storm Darragh will bring heavy rain and strong winds up to 80mph (Image: Getty/PA Images/WX Charts)
Storm Darragh poses a risk to life with winds up to 80mph to smash into Britain within hours and prompting 124 flood alerts.
A amber warning for “potentially damaging” winds along the west coast of the UK from South Ayrshire, Scotland, down to Cornwall, as well as in Northern Ireland, comes into force on Saturday from 3am until 9pm.
Snow could also hit hilly areas of northern England tomorrow. As of this morning, 124 flood alerts and warnings had been issued by the Government.
Meanwhile, a yellow for rain will be in place for Northern Ireland and Wales, which were already badly affected by flooding during Storm Bert. The warning applies from 3pm on Friday until 12pm on Saturday.
Up to 60mm of rain could fall in these areas during the warning period, which may lead to some flooding and disruption, forecasters said.
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This weather map shows heavy rain over much of the UK at 9pm today (Image: WX Charts)
Where is flooding expected?
Flooding is expected in the following places, according to the latest details from the Government:
B1040 Thorney to Whittlesey Road to the South of the River Nene
Curry Moor and Hay Moor
Illey Brook at Halesowen
Lower Frome from Dorchester to East Stoke
Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham
Middle Hampshire Avon at Britford, Salisbury
Middle Hampshire Avon from Salisbury to Ringwood
Pocklington Beck at Pocklington
Poynton Brook at Wigwam wood and parts of Armcon Business Park
River Dene at Walton
River Irwell at Bacup
River Irwell at Irwell Vale
River Irwell at Rawtenstall
River Irwell at Strongstry and Chatterton
River Irwell at Stubbylee Bridge and Stacksteads, riverside properties
River Irwell at Stubbylee Bridge, Farholme area and Stacksteads, Brandwood Park areas
River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook
River Vyrnwy at Melverley
Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester
Whitewell Brook at Piercy and Newchurch from Ashworth Road to Wood Lea Road
Flood alerts have been issued (Image: Getty)
Which parts of the UK fall under the amber warning?
These are the regions and local authorities affected: Blackpool, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone.
Also affected are: Dumfries and Galloway, Bath and North East Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
The list also includes: Strathclyde, South Ayrshire, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Neath Port Talbot.
Finally, these places also fall under the warning area: Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham.
Here you can see where the warning applies and wind speeds (Image: Met Office)
What does the amber warning say?
The amber warning says there is a good chance of power cuts, with the potential to affect services such as mobile phone coverage. Possible damage to buildings includes tiles being blown from roofs.
Longer journey times and cancellations are likely, with road, rail, air and ferry services possibly hit.
Flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or even be life-threatening. Some roads and bridges are likely to close, with falling trees a hazard.
Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties also pose a danger to life.
Welcome to our live blog
Good morning and welcome to the Express’s live blog where I’ll be bringing you the latest details on Storm Darragh.