Storm Barney strikes: Winds of up to 70mph sweep through Shropshire

The Met Office said wind speeds of 50 to 60mph were likely across the West Midlands and that gusts could reach up to 70mph.

The storm is the second deemed strong enough to be given its own name this season and has led to Shropshire and the West Midlands being given a yellow wind warning by the Met Office.

This means that residents should "be aware" of high winds and that outdoor events may be disrupted or cancelled, branches or trees may be brought down and motorists are advised to drive with care.

West to southwesterly gales are expected to move eastwards across the Midlands from early Tuesday evening, as a series of low pressure systems move in from the Atlantic and cause unsettled weather.

Yellow is the second lowest warning issued by the Met Office, who say that traffic disruption should remain localised.

Nonetheless, longer travel times should be expected.

There is also a weather warning for rain in the next few days centred on the north west of England and Wales, coming hard on the heels of torrential rain which saw rivers burst their banks and localised flooding affecting roads, farmland and train services.

The Met Office is warning that given the already saturated conditions, communities could see more floods from standing water or swollen rivers that could lead to travel disruption.

AccuWeather meteorologists have predicted rainfall from Barney to generally total around 25 mm (1 inch), but as much as 50 mm (2 inches) may fall in some areas.

Meteorologist Eric Leister said: "Barney will be a fast-moving storm, bringing locally strong winds to southern Ireland and the southern UK beginning midday Tuesday and continuing into Tuesday night."

Despite the threat of more bad weather, the Environment Agency said the flood risk across northern England was receding - although river levels will remain high in the week ahead.

In particular, the River Ouse in North Yorkshire and York will remain high until Thursday, where there could be further localised flooding, the agency said.

Elsewhere, many flood warnings for rivers have been removed, although 22 are still in place, along with dozens of flood alerts.

Gale and severe gale force westerly winds which will hit parts of the UK as Storm Barney comes in are expected to generate large waves around exposed coasts in south-west England and the English Channel.

But while some localised spray and waves coming over sea defences is possible, the overall coastal flood risk is very low, the Environment Agency said.

More than 20,000 homes were protected by Environment Agency flood schemes this weekend, according to the organisation which deployed more than 600 metres (2,000ft) of temporary defences with the help of 20 military personnel, to protect homes at Braystones, Whalley, Warwick Bridge and Ribchester.

Craig Woolhouse, director of incident management at the Environment Agency, said: "The flood risk will recede across northern England over the coming days, although river levels will remain high.

"The public should remain alert to the risk of flooding and stay away from raging rivers. With so much standing water around, we ask people to stay out of flood water and not attempt to walk or drive through it."

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "Barney will affect drivers further south than Abigail did, so many will be having to deal with their first real dose of strong autumn winds. We urge anyone on the road in the thick of the storm to slow down and leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front.

"Motorists should resist the temptation to drive through standing water unless they are sure it is shallow enough to get through safely, otherwise it could prove to be a very costly mistake."