Winds of up to 65mph are set to batter Britain as Storm Lorenzo arrives in the UK today, bringing heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding.
Met Éireann, Ireland's meteorological service, has issued a yellow wind warning nationwide from 9am on Thursday morning, ahead of the former hurricane’s arrival.
A total of 43 flood alerts and 11 flood warnings have been issued across England by the Environment Agency.
In the Isle of Man a clean up operation is underway after the River Laxey burst its banks, leaving villagers trapped in their homes.
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Calm before the storm captured in stunning sunrise photos
Manchester saw a spectacular sunrise this morning ahead of the heavy rain and strong winds Lorenzo is set to bring later today.
Flights diverted as storm nears
Two regional flight from Birmingham and Edinburgh originally destined for Shannon Airport have diverted to Cork Airport this morning due to Storm Lorenzo.
Flood barriers set up before Lorenzo hits
A flood barrier is set up in Galway on Ireland's west coast in preparation for Lorenzo hitting with heavy rain and winds of up to 60mph.
Lorenzo leaves destruction in Azores islands as it heads towards UK
Before being downgraded to a storm, Hurricane Lorenzo brought heavy rain and rough seas to the mid-Atlantic Azores islands. Roads and homes were damaged and authorities closed schools for the day.
This footage shows the hurricane hitting the islands of Ilha des Flores, Terceira and Faial:
Emergency services urge people to stay away from coastal areas
The Irish Coast Guard has urged people to stay away from exposed beaches, cliffs and harbours amid warnings of strong winds and flooding.
Pet owners warned to keep animals inside
With winds of up to 75mph expected when Storm Lorenzo hits Ireland, pet owners are being urged to keep their animals safely indoors.
'No sign' of strong winds and heavy rain settling, Met Office says
Looking ahead, there's no respite from wet and windy conditions., though Lorenzo is expected to fade by the weekend.
“As we look ahead it stays very uncertain,” Mark Wilson, a Met Office meteorologist, tells The Independent.
“There will be further outbreaks of rain- these will spread from western regions to the east of the UK on Sunday."
Power cuts possible in Ireland
Gales are expected to develop over Northern Ireland this afternoon and then in southwestern England and Wales in the evening.
The Met Office has said "some short term loss of power and other services" is possible in Northern Ireland today.
Storm nears Irish coast
Here's where the former hurricane is at the moment, according to Windy.
Ireland's weather service issues orange weather warning
Lorenzo struck Portugal's Azores islands on Tuesday.
It strengthened to a category 5 hurricane while travelling over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, becoming the strongest ever storm to develop this far east.
It has since been downgraded.
The centre of the storm will arrive over the coast of Ireland before it travels to the UK.
Met Éireann, Ireland's meteorological service, has issued a orange weather warning and expects winds in Ireland to exceed speeds of 75mph.
Clean up operation underway in Isle of Man
In the Isle of Man a clean up operation is underway after torrential rain caused the River Laxey to burst its banks on Tuesday.
Several vehicles were swept away and villagers were left trapped in their homes.
The Met Office said the remnants of Lorenzo could bring further wet and windy conditions to the area.
60mph winds to hit Northern Ireland
60mph winds are expected to hit Northern Ireland today, as the former hurricane arrives in the UK.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the area from 3pm to 10pm and suggested that delays to road, rail, air and ferry are likely.
Coastal areas are particularly at risk and will be affected by spray and large waves.
Welcome to our coverage of Storm Lorenzo
Additional reporting by agencies
