Flood Warnings Issued For East Coast And Wales

Flood warnings have been issued for Keswick Campsite and Aberystwyth Tidal following the forecast of heavy rain this weekend.

Flood alerts have also been issued by the Environment Agency (EA) for 23 locations along Britain's east coast.

A statement on the EA website said: "Flooding at Aberystwyth sea front is likely due to wave overtopping but is not expected to be widespread and is limited to basement properties.

"The lake level at Keswick Campsite remains high, approximately 2.24 metres, and will continue to remain high for the rest of the week".

It comes as Scotland was hit by a storm bringing winds of 70-80mph, causing travel disruption and temporary power cuts to thousands of homes.

The strongest gale of 84mph was recorded in the Outer Hebrides and this morning the Scottish Highlands, and Orkney and Shetland Islands are being warned to prepare for Storm Abigail.

Schools in Shetland and the Western Isles took the decision to close today, though schools in Orkney will make a decision later about whether to open.

Some CalMac ferry journeys have been cancelled and the Met Office has warned that surface water and wind gusts could cause problems for commuters.

The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles, cars with trailers, caravans, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Train operator ScotRail said there is minor disruption on routes from Glasgow to Carlisle and Newcastle, and from Glasgow to Ardrossan, Ayr and Largs, and from Kilmarnock to Ayr.

The storm peaked in the early hours of this morning but is expected to ease throughout the day.

Yesterday morning the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team rescued a hill walker with chest injuries who had attempted to walk up Ben Nevis via Observatory Gully.

The team stated on its Facebook page: "On the scale of difficulty this route is certain death! A very difficult rescue in atrocious conditions."

Snow was also spotted falling in Sidlaws near Dundee, Scotland.

Sky's weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Storm Abigail will still bring very strong winds across Scotland this morning, with gusts up to 60-70mph for most of the mainland and possibly 90mph for the Northern Isles.

"Southwest England and Wales will have gusty winds this morning which could cause disruption to travel, possible power cuts and large waves which may lead to coastal flooding.

"There will also be plenty of blustery showers, some heavy and thundery, with the chance of hail, lightning and snow over the high ground of Scotland, Ireland, northern England and perhaps Wales."

Communities in northern England face the risk of "significant river flooding" this weekend, the Environment Agency has warned.