STORM Eleanor is set to bring strong winds to the area later today.

Forecasters at the Met Office have issued a yellow warning for wind, running from 6pm tonight (Tuesday) until 6pm tomorrow.

The warning says public transport may be disrupted or cancelled and some bridges are likely to be closed.

"Power cuts and disruption to other services (mobile phones for example) may also occur, while injuries from flying debris are possible," it adds. 

"Combined with a period of high tides, it is likely that some western coastal communities will be affected by large waves and spray, and again there is a chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves, or beach material being thrown on to seafronts and coastal properties."

The Environment Agency has also issued a flood alert - the least serious category - for the Morecambe Bay coastline.

The storm coincides with a period of high spring tides.

The Environment Agency is forecasting to issue wide scale Tidal Flood Alerts for the whole of the Cumbria coastline for early this afternoon to warn for potential flooding to low lying land and roads. 

Later this afternoon the Agency has said that it would also be looking to issue Flood Warnings for areas along the coast where it forecasts potential flooding of properties.

Tidal spray and onshore flooding may occur to roads and some properties along the coast may be affected.  People are warned to stay away from the coast. 

Environment Agency officers are on the ground ensuring defences are in good working order, monitoring sea levels and wind directions.

The Agency is also forecasting for a band of rain to pass through Cumbria this evening and into Wednesday morning, which has the potential for some river levels to reach Flood Alert thresholds.

The Environment Agency has issued the following advice:

Be flood ready. It is important that you are prepared for flooding and we encourage you to take three simple steps:-

  1. Sign up to Flood Warning Service to receive free flood warnings
  2. Know what to do when a flood warning is issued.  We encourage you have a personal flood plan for you and your family
  3. Keep an eye on the situation.  You can view at 5 day weather forecast and monitor river levels online at https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/ and www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/

Further information is available on www.gov.uk/flood or by ringing Floodline on 0345 988 1188