West Country battles major floods amid Storm Henk
Travel alerts are in place and a weather warning has been issued by the Met Office
Much of the West Country has been bracing itself all day for the aftermaths of the first storm of 2024 - Storm Henk.
The Met Office issued an amber weather alert for much of the region this morning - until 8 o'clock tonight (January 2nd).
The impact has been seen far and wide across much of the West Country - with some coastal areas seeing winds reaching as high as 70 or 80 miles an hour.
Forecasters said there is a good chance that power cuts could occur, with probable damage to buildings, travel disruption and a chance of injury or loss of life from flying debris.
The Met Office said: "Storm Henk will bring a spell of very strong winds, causing disruption to travel and utilities.
"Heavy rain falling on saturated ground is likely to cause some travel disruption."
Well there has been disruption on the roads and the rails - with Great Western Railway urging passengers to travel 'as early as possible', whilst Avon Fire and Rescue have been asking people to consider whether their journeys out and about are actually 'essential'.
The Prince of Wales Bridge has also been closed for a number of hours because of the strong winds, whilst the Environment Agency has issued a number of flood alerts up and down the West Country.
Travel Somerset are advising drivers to check before travelling, with a number of roads closed because of floodwater - and because of fallen trees.
A number of events have also been cancelled - including a local Parkrun.
Keynsham seems to have been hit particularly badly - with the river Avon bursting its banks and flooding a local pub.
The dinosaur sculpture has also been seen underwater at the Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park.
Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "Our latest analysis of the forecast shows an increase in the likelihood of very strong wind gusts across parts of southern Wales and England, which is why we have issued this amber warning this morning and named Storm Henk.
"Storm Henk will initially bring very strong winds to the South West of England and southern Wales, with gusts of up to 80mph possible.
"As Storm Henk moves north-eastwards across the south of the UK through Tuesday, the strongest winds will also move eastwards, across the south Midlands, Home Counties and East Anglia through the afternoon and evening."
You can check out flood alerts for your area here.