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 issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) expected.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) expected.
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 agency is urging people to stay away from exposed coastal areas and to check for flood warnings in their area.
The agency is urging people to stay away from exposed coastal areas and to check for flood warnings in their area.
We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves Paul LeinsterEnvironment Agency
We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves Paul LeinsterEnvironment Agency
The agency's director of operations, Paul Leinster, said: "There will be a potent cocktail of strong winds, wave action and high tides from Sunday night through until Wednesday."
The agency's director of operations, Paul Leinster, said: "There will be a potent cocktail of strong winds, wave action and high tides from Sunday night through until Wednesday."
He said that gale force winds were expected to combine with spring high tides to raise water levels along the coast by up to 1.5 metres over normal levels.
He said that gale force winds were expected to combine with spring high tides to raise water levels along the coast by up to 1.5 metres over normal levels.
Mr Leinster said: "We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves - it is extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, into the water."
Mr Leinster said: "We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves - it is extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, into the water."
By 2200 GMT on Sunday there were seven severe flood warnings in place in Devon and Cornwall and 37 other warnings in locations including southern England, and the Severn and Mersey estuaries.
By 2200 GMT on Sunday there were seven severe flood warnings in place in Devon and Cornwall and 37 other warnings in locations including southern England, and the Severn and Mersey estuaries.
In parts of Wales and south-west England, gusts of about 45mph (72km/h) were recorded and some light rain had started to fall.
FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 11 88
FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 11 88
Ferries between Portsmouth and Bilbao in Spain have also been cancelled because of fears of severe storms at sea.
Ferries between Portsmouth and Bilbao in Spain have also been cancelled because of fears of severe storms at sea.
P and O Ferries said it had cancelled its Sunday sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and from Bilbao to Portsmouth on 11 March.
P&O Ferries said it had 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.
Senior government officials met on Sunday afternoon to discuss the threat from the storm and to check that local authorities were prepared for floods.
Senior government officials met on Sunday afternoon to discuss the threat from the storm and to check that local authorities were prepared for floods.
Ministerial concern
Ministerial concern
The BBC's political correspondent Ben Wright said he understood that Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined the meeting by telephone and "intervened once or twice".
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said he understood that Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined the meeting by telephone and "intervened once or twice".
Ministers are said to be most concerned about floods around dawn, when sea tides are at their highest.
Ministers are said to be most concerned about floods around dawn, when sea tides are at their highest.
In Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, emergency planning were preparing for high winds and floods. Stand-by supplies of sandbags are being provided and extra police called in to work overnight Sunday and from early Monday.
In Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, emergency planning were preparing for high winds and floods. Stand-by supplies of sandbags are being provided and extra police called in to work overnight Sunday and from early Monday.
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.
Huge waves are expected to hit the UK coast.
Huge waves are expected to hit the UK coast.
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.
