More flood warnings were issued last night as power companies were told to make sure they are prepared for the next big storm heading for the British Isles.
Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 60mph were expected to hit western areas early today, prompting nearly 70 flood warnings.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who chaired a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergencies committee, said “exceptional” weather was expected.
And he warned the energy network companies to be prepared for the latest storms following complaints it took too long to restore electricity to thousands of homes left without power in the wake of severe weather over Christmas.
Paterson’s comments came as the body of a 27-year-old man from Surrey was found by a member of the public on Porthleven Sands beach in Cornwall yesterday morning. He had been swept out to sea on New Year’s Eve night having gone for a paddle with friends at nearby Loe Bar.
Heavy rain, high wind expected early today
In a second tragedy on Tuesday, a woman died after being swept out to sea at the popular beauty spot Croyde Bay in north Devon. The woman, who was believed to be on holiday with her family, was rescued from the sea and airlifted to hospital before being confirmed dead by doctors.
Elsewhere, in Dorset, a search was under way for a man who is believed to have fallen into the River Stour, near Iford Bridge in Christchurch on Wednesday.
There was a brief respite from the most severe weather yesterday but heavy rain is expected in western areas of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland today as a low pressure system moves in from the Atlantic.
Areas particularly at risk include the Isles of Scilly, the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and the coastline of Wales, while the risk of flooding is made worse by the high level of ground saturation from earlier heavy rain.
There are already 12 severe flood warnings, which are issued when there is a threat to life or property, as well as more than 230 flood alerts across the country. In London, the Thames Barrier was closed to protect people and property along the river, the Environment Agency said.
Pete Fox, head of strategy at the agency, said: “We are expecting flooding along the west and south coasts of England and Wales, due to a combination of strong winds, large waves and high tides, from the early hours of Friday and into the weekend.
“Coastal paths and promenades could be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea. People are warned to stay away from the shoreline.”
Yesterday communities in parts of the southeast were also braced for further deluges.
There were eight flood warnings and 95 flood alerts in the region, although none of them were deemed severe, according to the Environment Agency.
With more rain expected to fall overnight and today, there was a further risk of flooding in Little Venice, Yalding, Kent, which had previously suffered over Christmas.
Sandbags were being deployed in the area by Maidstone Borough Council and residents in some roads were being advised not to return home until further notice.
The AA said some drivers were failing to heed flood warnings, and that it has attended 1,500 call-outs from those stranded due to floods since December 23.
The call outs include patrols being sent to 400 vehicles stuck in flood water, while the rest were vehicles that broke down after being driven through the water.
People were urged to look out for their neighbours, particularly if vulnerable.