SOUTH Lakeland District Council have urged coastal communities to prepare for possible flooding over the next three days.

It said the last time there was a potential coastal incident of this scale was in 2002 - when 65 properties were affected.

On that occasion the areas involved were at Canal Foot South, Next Ness, Roosebeck, Ulverston, and East Plain Farm, Flookburgh.

Shops and residences on the seafront in Arnside and Sandside were also affected.

In response to an Environment Agency severe flood warning SLDC has urged residents to collect sandbags.

Strong winds, large waves and high tides could all combine leading to waves overtopping at exposed coastal locations and paths and promenades could be highly dangerous with an increased risk of being swept out to sea.

Environment Agency teams, working with local authorities including SLDC, will be working around the clock to check flood defences and close tidal gates.

Residents who require sandbags can collect them from the SLDC South Ulverston Depot, North Lonsdale Road, which is open till 6pm tonight (Thursday) and from 6am tomorrow; Kendal Depot till 6pm tonight and from 6am tomorrow; and from Ecclerigg Depot, Troutbeck, at any time.

The council also announced that sandbags would be available throughout Friday at both Storth and Arnside village halls.

There are a number of flood alerts across the whole county and police are urging people, especially those in areas prone to flooding, to keep up to date with flood alerts.

Find out more by visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx or call their Floodline for advice and information on 0845 988 1188.

If you see the roads in your area starting to flood with a build-up of surface water, contact Cumbria County Council’s Highways Hotline on 0845 609 6609 or email highways@cumbria.gov.uk.

Keep up-to-date with the weather at www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=map.

Practical tips and health advice is available at www.gov.uk/government/news/flooding-advice-to-the-public.