Storm Francis is expected to lash parts of the UK with up to 90mm of rainfall and to bring 70mph winds to some coastal regions on Tuesday, the Met Office has said.
The national weather service has issued yellow weather warnings for rain and an amber warning for wind as a result of the storm, which reached the west of the UK early on Tuesday morning.
Flooding has caused damage to buildings and homes in Ireland and Northern Ireland, while several rescue operations have taken place in Wales due to rising water levels.
Storm Francis to bring risk of 'severe gales'
The Met Office has issued weather warnings on Tuesday and Wednesday for wind and rain brought to the UK by Storm Francis.
The storm, which was named on Monday, made landfall early on Tuesday and will head into the North Sea on Wednesday morning.
It is the first time that the Met Office has named two storms in August since it started the practice in 2015.
Storm Ellen hit the UK last week, leading to the deaths of a 15-year-old girl in a river in Wales and a 50-year-old man in the sea in Cornwall.
Winds of more than 50mph recorded overnight
Parts of the UK recorded gusts of more than 50mph overnight, with Storm Francis likely to bring even stronger winds to coastal areas in England on Tuesday.
There were 51mph winds overnight in Mount Batten, Plymouth, while the same speed was registered in Mace Head, Co Galway, on Tuesday morning.
This came after 30.8mm of rain fell in just six hours on parts of Co Kerry, Ireland, on Tuesday evening.
One flood alert has been issued for Wales, while 29 flood warnings are in place across England, Wales and Scotland.
Swathes of the UK to experience wet and windy conditions
Alex Deakin, a meteorologist at the Met Office, has said that it will be "wet and windy for large chunks of the UK” on Tuesday due to Storm Francis.
“The rain will be focused across Northern Ireland, southern-central Scotland for most of the day. Some heavy bursts across north and mid Wales and parts of northern England,” he added.
As well as the heavy rain, it will also be “unseasonably windy”, according to Mr Deakin.
Winds of 70mph expected during Storm Francis
RNLI warns public not to take 'unnecessary risks' at the coast
The RNLI has told the public not take "unnecessary risks" during Storm Francis, saying that large waves could easily drag people out to sea.
The charity's warning comes as parts of the UK's coastline are predicted to experience 70mph gusts on Tuesday.
Video shows strength of wind and waves
Met Office upgrades wind weather warning
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for wind on Tuesday afternoon across Wales, the Midlands and Lincolnshire.
This comes after Storm Francis made landfall with the UK early on Tuesday morning.
Yellow weather warnings, the Met Office's lowest alert level, are also in place for large parts of the UK because of the wind and rain.
Waves crash against harbour wall in Wales during Storm Francis
Walkers brave windy conditions
Public advised not to swim
Storm Francis causes severe flooding in Ireland
Storm Francis has brought widespread damage to parts of West Cork, after roads and properties were flooded following heavy rainfall.
A large amount of rain falling on already saturated ground caused the flooding, according to Cork County Council.
In a statement, the council warned motorists to be cautious and told the public to stay away from the coast.
Images and footage of severe flooding in Bantry, County Cork, have been posted on social media.
As well as in Cork, electricity firm ESB said power had been lost to homes and businesses in Carlow, Limerick and Wexford.
South Wales Police involved in two water searches in swollen River Taff
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said that the force was searching for two people in two separate incidents in the River Taff, which has become swollen due to heavy rainfall.
Emergency services responded to reports that one person had entered the water near the Principality Stadium on Tuesday morning and that a canoeist had capsized elsewhere on the river.
Meanwhile, a woman was rescue at the River Ely in Leckwith, South Wales Police said on Twitter.
Wind speeds hit 73mph on Tuesday morning, Met Office says
Gusts of 73mph were recorded on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday morning between 8am and 9am, the Met Office has said.
Elsewhere, the wind reached 67mph at the Isles of Scilly during the same period.
Heavy rain continues to fall across the UK, with 65.8mm dropping at White Barrow in Devon between 11pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency
River Shimna in Northern Ireland bursts its banks
South Wales Police continue to search for two missing people
The force has said in a tweet that its staff remain on the scene of two river searches.
This comes after emergency services responded to reports that two people had gone missing in the swollen River Taff in separate incidents on Tuesday.
In the same message on Twitter, South Wales Police called on the public to take extra precautions when out driving or walking.
Welsh emergency services rescue holidaymakers
Fire crews in the town of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, rescued tourists after the campsite where they were staying flooded after heavy rainfall.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service rescued nine people and two dogs as part of the operation.
Elsewhere, 30 people were evacuated from a caravan site in Wiseman's Bridge, Narberth, with one person needing medical treatment.
Natural Resources Wales has issued three flood warnings and 17 flood alerts as a result of Storm Francis, while the Environment Agency has 22 flood alerts in place across England.
