With Met Office forecasts of strong winds and heavy rain due to affect Cornwall, Cornwall Council is warning residents and visitors to be prepared and take precautions where necessary after the recent dry spell. 

The latest information from the MET Office and the Environment Agency is for rain on Friday, with strengthening winds overnight bringing gusting of 40-50 miles per hour inland and up to 60 miles per hour along exposed coasts throughout Cornwall on Saturday.

This could lead to some fallen trees, with the potential for overturned vehicles, with caravans and high sided vehicles at particular risk, and damage to temporary structures such as tents and marquees. There could also be spray overtopping at exposed coastal locations.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather warning for high winds and the public are advised to check for any Environment Agency Flood Warnings over the coming weekend especially for the coast.

Officers from Cornwall Council’s Highways, Environment, Fire and Rescue and Emergency Management services will be monitoring the situation closely and are on standby to deal with any problems.

Agencies are asking people living in areas which are prone to flooding especially along the coast to make sure they take the necessary precautions. They are also advising people to take care when driving, particularly those driving high sided vehicles or towing caravans as the roads will inevitably be busy.

They are also advising people to put away any garden furniture and ensure that tents, trampolines, bouncy castles, gazebos or marquees are secure. People organising community events over the weekend are advised to undertake their own risk assessments.

Members of the public are also being asked to take care when walking along the coast path or along piers and promenades, and by cliff edges during the strong winds, with surfers and small boat owners advised to check advice from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on whether to go into the water. Surfers and swimmers are advised to adhere to the flags at amenity beaches.

Sandbags can be obtained from builders merchants, DIY and hardware stores. Anyone who is unsure if their property is at risk can check on the environment agency website www.gov.uk/flood or call the floodline on 0345 988 1188