The Environment Agency is urging coastal communities in the south west and south coasts of England, especially communities along the tidal River Severn and Wye in Gloucestershire, to prepare for expected flooding impacts from Storm Eunice.

The storm is continuing to bring strong winds across the UK, resulting in high waves and a potential storm surge coinciding with high spring tides. As a result of this extreme weather, severe flood warnings, meaning there is a threat to life, will be issued for parts of the tidal Severn Estuary and River Wye in Gloucestershire.

In addition, as of 13:30pm, there are a further 11 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 58 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is likely. It is expected that these numbers will rise over the coming hours.

The Environment Agency is working around the clock to help keep communities and people safe. Teams are working to erect barriers, clear screens and close flood gates along the tidal River Severn, the south west of England and other affected areas. Incident rooms have also been scaled up in affected areas to support potentially impacted communities.

Members of the public are also being urged to sign up for free flood warnings and ensure they know what to do in case of flooding.

Stefan Laeger, the Environment Agency’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

The public should take extreme caution as strong winds resulting in a storm surge and large waves are expected bring potentially severe coastal flooding to parts of the west, south-west and south coast of England, as well as the tidal Rivers Severn and Wye in Gloucestershire, from the early hours of Friday morning. This is due to Storm Eunice coinciding with a period of spring tides and large waves. Further spells of heavy rain are expected this weekend.

Environment Agency teams are out on the ground closing gates, erecting barriers and clearing screens where flood debris can build up, and stand ready to operate further flood defences if needed. Flood gates are now shut on north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall. Working with our partners in local resilience forums, we are planning for emergency response to keep people safe where flooding does occur.

Please remember to take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades. We urge people to stay safe on the coast and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking ‘storm selfies’. Flooding of low lying coastal roads is also possible and people should avoid driving through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.

Type ‘check my flood risk’ online to sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date, follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood information or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders said:

After the impacts from Storm Dudley for many on Wednesday, Storm Eunice will bring damaging gusts in what could be one of the most impactful storms to affect southern and central parts of the UK for a few years.

The red warning area indicates a significant danger to life as extremely strong winds provide the potential for damage to structures and flying debris. Although the most exposed coastal areas in the south and west could see gusts in excess of 90mph, winds will remain notably strong further inland, with gusts of between 70-80mph for most within the amber warning area.

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has ordered a wide-ranging, independent review of Border Force to assess its structure, powers, funding and priorities to ensure it can keep pace with rapidly evolving threats and continue to protect the border, maintain security and prevent illegal migration.

The review will be carried out by Alexander Downer as an Independent Reviewer. Mr. Downer has a wealth of relevant experience to bring to this review, having previously served as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs. He is currently Executive Chair at the International School for Government, King’s College London.

The first of its kind since Border Force was set up, the wide-ranging review is expected to take several months to complete. It will ensure the UK government is prepared for future challenges at the border, by identifying change and improvements needed across Border Force’s work on illegal migration, customs and national security to help keep the UK safe, secure and prosperous.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel said:

Border Force officers work tirelessly to protect our borders at 140 sea and air ports right across the UK.

Since Border Force was set up in 2011, its remit has grown to meet the changing border threats we face, and in recent years has supported delivery of the government’s Brexit commitments and COVID-19 measures.

The public rightly expects this work to be carried out to the highest possible standard, which is why I have ordered this review of Border Force to identify ways in which it can keep improving its operations.

I have appointed Alexander Downer to do this vital work and look forward to his findings and recommendations.

Any further details on the review will be set out by the Independent Reviewer in due course.

Independent Reviewer of Border Force, Alexander Downer said:

I am delighted that the Home Secretary has asked me to lead an independent review of Border Force, to ensure the UK’s border is protected from the changing threats of today, and prepared for future challenges.

As an Independent Reviewer, I plan to lead a review that is robust, evidence-based and outcome-orientated.

I look forward to assessing Border Force’s structure, powers, funding and priorities, and hearing from a wide range of voices from across the organisation and beyond.

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has announced the appointment of Melanie Dales, into a new Assistant Chief Constable, Nuclear and Marine role, pending the retirement of ACC Dave Long at the beginning of March, after 37 years’ service with the Force.

The MDP has recently stood up a new organisational structure and this includes a reset of the Assistant Chief Constable portfolios. The ACC Nuclear and Marine post holds responsibility for the specialist MDP teams that form part of the protective security arrangements for the Continuous at Sea Nuclear Deterrent and all MDP Marine Units, representing the largest marine policing capability in the UK.

Commenting on her new appointment, Melanie said

I am delighted to be joining the MDP, and I look forward to meeting officers and staff during the coming months, to learn more about the Force and the unique role it plays in protecting the nation’s defences and national infrastructure.

Chief Constable Andy Adams said

It is my pleasure to welcome Melanie to the MDP. She brings with her a wealth of organisational and operational experiences, which will benefit our Force and Defence. I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact Melanie will bring for those around her, in the forthcoming months.

ACC Melanie Dales has spent the past two years as a Commander with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), with strategic leadership for Public Protection across London, including responsibilities on domestic abuse, rape and serious sexual offences, vulnerable adults, hate crime, missing persons, and mental health.

In her previous role as Chief Superintendent for Joint Protective Services for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire Constabularies, Melanie provided strategic governance and financial oversight, managing operational delivery of all specialist services for the three forces. This included provision of Armed Police Officers, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) capability, roads policing, Public Order provision and civil contingencies. She also held regional project leadership for the restructure of the national Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) programme.

Melanie began her police service with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, where she has spent most of her career, operating in roles that include the Seven Force Strategic Collaboration Programme Lead; Force Crime Manager for Cambridgeshire Constabulary; Divisional Commander for Peterborough; corporate development at the ranks of Chief Superintendent and Superintendent; and as a Senior Investigating Officer on major enquiries.