Severe weather warnings have been issued across the UK as huge swathes of the country prepare for a deluge of rain.
Parts of Wales, Yorkshire and south-west England can except as much as 3.9in (100mm) of rain throughout Tuesday, with Cumbria, which is still reeling from flooding around Christmas, facing up to 2in (51mm) by the end of the day.
The Met Office, which has issued yellow “severe” warnings for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, has warned communities to prepare for some flooding.
With scores of flood alerts in place, the Environment Agency (EA) has deployed a number of temporary defences and pumps.
The measures include carrying out work on the wider Ullswater valley in Cumbria, as well as in Appleby, Keswick, Cockermouth and Glenridding.
It has also put teams, including military personnel, on the ground across Yorkshire to inspect and repair defences.
The Rivers Severn, Wye and Bristol Avon could also experience some flooding over the coming days, the agency added.
The warnings in place across Wales, Scotland, Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Devon and Cornwall come as the remnants of Storm Jonas, which blanketed much of the east coast of America in deep snow, sweeps in from the Atlantic.
A Met Office spokeswoman said: “Further north, across Scotland and northern England, the remnants of the US storm are likely to cause severe gales – of up to 70mph in Scotland – and bring 20-40mm (0.8-1.6in) of rainwater by Tuesday afternoon, with up to 60mm (2.4im) in exposed areas.
“In Wales, Yorkshire and south-west England, rain will reach around 30-50mm (1.2-2in) and up to 80-100mm (3.2-3.9in) in higher areas, mainly Wales. Locations along the Irish Sea coast can also expect some severe gales.”
Rain and south-westerly gales are expected to persist through Wednesday, and a further band of heavy rain is forecast for Friday, according to the Met Office, with yellow warnings already in place for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-east England and Wales.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss chaired an emergency COBR committee on Monday night to discuss the Government’s response to the weather warnings in an attempt to reassure “anxious” flood-hit communities.
Neil Davies, EA’s national flood duty manager, said: “With heavy rain this week, people in the North and South West need to be prepared for the risk of flooding.
“EA teams have been helping communities recover from the severe floods over Christmas. We are now preparing for further flooding as rain is expected to fall on ground left saturated after the wettest month on record.
“There will be high tides on the coast of Cumbria and Lancashire which is expected to cause large waves and spray. We urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades.”
Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire were among the areas worst affected last month by Storm Desmond, which ruined thousands of homes and businesses and forced residents to leave flooded properties.
This video was taken by ArgyllSeaGlass this morning showing the waves along the coast.