Sidmouth: Met Office warns of 'extremely strong winds', upgrades Storm Eunice warning to amber

Summary:

• Storm Eunice coming to UK on Friday 18 February
• Sidmouth to see 'extremely strong winds', 66mph gusts
• Large waves and flooding, damage to buildings and power lines, travel disruption likely.

Storm Eunice is set to make landfall in the UK on Friday 18 February, bringing winds of up to 66mph to Sidmouth.

The Met Office has upgraded its earlier yellow weather warning to amber, lasting from 5am to 9pm on Friday.

The weather service has advised people that there is a 'good chance' of flying debris causing danger to life. Damage to buildings and homes is likely - and power lines may be brought down.

Roads, bridges and railway lines may close and there could be delays and cancellations on public transport.

The RNLI has also issued a warning. RNLI National Water Safety Partner Samantha Hughes said: "In a normal year around 150 people lose their lives at the coast and we know that more than half of those never intended to be in the water ... we ask people to stay well back from stormy, wintry seas and cliff edges, check tide times before you go, take a phone with you, and call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if you or someone else is in trouble."

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "An active jet stream is driving these two low-pressure systems across the country this week and a number of National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued.

"Storm Dudley will impact the northern half of the UK ... while Storm Eunice will bring strong winds and potentially some snow for parts of the country on Friday."

Weather forecast

Friday will see highs of 10 degrees and lows of 4, with wind gusts of up to 66mph by 9am. By 6pm, the gusts will die down to 36mph - but these are still strong winds.

Light rain is forecast throughout the day.

Saturday will see heavy rain around midday and gusts of up to 38mph.