Storm Austen urgent flood warnings for 13 areas - 'move loved ones to a safe place'

Storm Austen urgent flood warnings for 13 areas - 'move loved ones to a safe place' The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings and 10 flood alerts covering areas in Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire and the Midlands Urgent flood warnings have been used for multiple UK areas as Storm Austen continues to batter the country. The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings and 10 flood alerts covering areas in Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire and the Midlands. The flood warnings mean that flooding is expected and people should act now. They should "move to higher ground" and "move loved ones pets and valuables to safe place". One warning covers the South Devon coast at Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and Dawlish, with seven areas "particularly at risk" including exposed coastal areas at Hallsands, Beesands, Torcross, Slapton, Blackpool Sands, Teignmouth Promenade and Dawlish. A second covers the Dorset coast at Chiswell, with flooding expected until 11am. Six areas most at risk include A354 Chiswell, Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road, the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road. The Environment Agency said the situation was being monitored closely and staff were on sites. "Avoid seafronts and harbours due to wave overtopping and spray containing debris. Refer to local authority website for road closures," the agency said. The 10 flood alerts mean flooding is "possible" and people should "be prepared". They cover the South Devon coast, west coast of Dorset, east coast of Dorset, River Cole in Swindon, River Stour in Black Country and South Staffordshire, River Sow and River Penk, River Soar in Leicestershire and River Churnet and River Tean. At Christchurch Harbour in Dorset flooding is possible until around 11.15am, with the most affected locations being those on low lying land and roads near rivers or on the coast. People have been told to avoid coastal roads, footpaths and carparks, which may be flooded. People on the South Devon coast from Start Point to Dawlish Warren have been urged to "take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water". In Leicestershire, the Environment Agency has warned rising river levels at Lower River Soar may lead to flooding today. Areas most at risk are low-lying agricultural land. In an update at 9.30am today, the agency said: "Further rainfall is forecast over the next six hours. "River levels at Pillings Lock Gauge will continue rising. We are closely monitoring the situation . Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses. This message will be updated by 17:00 on Friday 23 October or as the situation changes." A flood alert is also in place for River Cole, Dorcan Brook and South Marston Brook today, with the Environment Agency saying "high river levels" have already led to flooding. This morning, it said: "Further heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours. We expect river levels to remain high throughout the day. "We are checking rivers for blockages We are closely monitoring the situation. Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water." Particularly severe weather has hit parts of south-west England, where an amber wind warning covers Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth until 10am. Winds of 60 to 70mph are expected widely, with gusts of around 80mph possible on exposed headlands. The Met Office has warned that flying debris could cause injuries and pose a "danger to life". A yellow wind warning covering south-west England, the south coast, parts of Wales and Herefordshire runs until 5pm today with gusts of 50 to 60mph are likely, and 70mph or more possible in some coastal and exposed areas. Another yellow warning for wind will come into force at 10am today and run until 9pm today. It covers a much wider area across England and Wales, including London, the Midlands, the North West and parts of Yorkshire. Gusts of around 45 to 55mph are possible. Full list of flood warnings - South Devon coast at Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and Dawlish. Areas particularly at risk include exposed coastal areas at Hallsands, Beesands, Torcross, Slapton, Blackpool Sands, Teignmouth Promenade and Dawlish - Dorset coast at Chiswell. Areas most at risk include A354 Chiswell, Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road, the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road. Full list of flood alerts - Christchurch Harbour - East coast of Dorset - Lower River Soar in Leicestershire - River Churnet and River Tean - River Cole, Dorcan Brook and South Marston Brook - River Sow and River Penk - River Stour and Smestow Brook in the Black Country and South Staffordshire - South Devon coast from Start Point to Dawlish Warren - West coast of Dorset - West Dorset Rivers and Streams