The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning for the whole of the Devon and Cornwall coast amid storm warnings for south and west Britain.
The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning for the whole of the Devon and Cornwall coast amid storm warnings for south and west Britain.
Large parts of England and Wales are braced for what experts warn may be the worst storm of the winter.
Large parts of England and Wales are braced for what experts warn may be the worst storm of the winter.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h).
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h).
Forecasters said storms on Monday and Tuesday could disrupt travel and bring down power lines and trees.
Forecasters said storms on Monday and Tuesday could disrupt travel and bring down power lines and trees.
The Environment Agency's south-west area manager, Martin Wieler, told the BBC that everyone living along the UK coastline should be alert to possible flooding.
The Environment Agency's south-west area manager, Martin Wieler, told the BBC that everyone living along the UK coastline should be alert to possible flooding.
He said the danger was being posed by a "powerful combination" of low pressure and very strong winds combining with high tides.
He said the danger was being posed by a "powerful combination" of low pressure and very strong winds combining with high tides.
Ferries between Portsmouth and Bilbao in Spain have also been cancelled because of a severe weather warning.
Ferries between Portsmouth and Bilbao in Spain have also been cancelled because of a severe weather warning.
P and O Ferries said it has cancelled its Sunday sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and from Bilbao to Portsmouth on 11 March.
P and O Ferries said it has cancelled its Sunday sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and from Bilbao to Portsmouth on 11 March.
The company's website also said sailings between Dover and Calais are being delayed by up to an hour because of the weather conditions.
The company's website also said sailings between Dover and Calais are being delayed by up to an hour because of the weather conditions.
'Strong message'
'Strong message'
The Environment Agency is urging people to stay away from coastal areas, particularly in Wales, and the south west and north west of England, from Sunday to Wednesday.
The Environment Agency is urging people to stay away from coastal areas, particularly in Wales, and the south west and north west of England, from Sunday to Wednesday.
FLOODLINE Call 077 9888 2092
FLOODLINE Call 0845 9881188
David Rooke, head of risk management at the Environment Agency, told the BBC the predicted combination of up to 80mph gusts and higher than normal tides are likely to lead to flooding in coastal areas.
David Rooke, head of risk management at the Environment Agency, told the BBC the predicted combination of up to 80mph gusts and higher than normal tides are likely to lead to flooding in coastal areas.
"We're giving a very strong message to stay away from coastal areas," he said.
"We're giving a very strong message to stay away from coastal areas," he said.
"There will be huge waves, a lot of spray and it will be a very dangerous place to be."
"There will be huge waves, a lot of spray and it will be a very dangerous place to be."
The agency said it was "preparing for the worst" in Wales.
The agency said it was "preparing for the worst" in Wales.
'Awesome sight'
'Awesome sight'
John Mosedale, from Environment Agency Wales, advised people against going to the coast to watch the rough seas and big waves because of the danger of being swept out to sea.
John Mosedale, from Environment Agency Wales, advised people against going to the coast to watch the rough seas and big waves because of the danger of being swept out to sea.
"We are concerned that the sea surge could overtop defences along the coast of Wales," he said.
"We are concerned that the sea surge could overtop defences along the coast of Wales," he said.
"We advise people to steer clear of places where waves crash over the coast.
"We advise people to steer clear of places where waves crash over the coast.
"While they are an awesome sight, they do pose a very real and serious danger to people's lives."
"While they are an awesome sight, they do pose a very real and serious danger to people's lives."
Emergency planning teams are meeting in Pembrokeshire and Cornwall to prepare for possible floods. A stand-by supply of sandbags has been provided.
Emergency planning teams are meeting in Pembrokeshire and Cornwall to prepare for possible floods. A stand-by supply of sandbags has been provided.
'Severe'
'Severe'
Cornwall's emergency planning officer Steve Winston said a combination of factors, including high spring tides and a very low pressure system, could lead to a "severe" event.
Cornwall's emergency planning officer Steve Winston said a combination of factors, including high spring tides and a very low pressure system, could lead to a "severe" event.
BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said a storm of this ferocity usually occurs once a year.
BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said a storm of this ferocity usually occurs once a year.
Much of the severe weather this winter had hit the north of Britain, whereas this storm would affect the south and the west, he added.
Much of the severe weather this winter had hit the north of Britain, whereas this storm would affect the south and the west, he added.
Martin Young, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "It will be very windy for many parts of the UK in the early part of next week, but especially so across coasts in the south.
Martin Young, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "It will be very windy for many parts of the UK in the early part of next week, but especially so across coasts in the south.
"Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday causing severe gales.
"Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday causing severe gales.
"After a brief respite, further westerly severe gales are forecast for later in the day and into the early hours of Tuesday."
"After a brief respite, further westerly severe gales are forecast for later in the day and into the early hours of Tuesday."
Do you live in the regions which could be affected by the storms? How are you preparing? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Do you live in the regions which could be affected by the storms? How are you preparing? Send us your experiences using the form below.
