WARNINGS of severe disruption and flooding have been made ahead of Storm Dennis, which is set to hit the North-East later today.

Rain has started to fall across parts of the region. 

Severe weather warnings are in place for most of the UK and the Environment Agency has said more damage could be caused by Storm Dennis than last week’s Storm Ciara, which saw severe flooding in parts of North Yorkshire.

John Curtin, Executive Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said the flood risks posed by Storm Dennis will arrive in phases across different parts of the country.

According to a graphic he tweeted, northern and northwest parts of England including Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Yorkshire will be hit by heavy rains and flooding first from Saturday afternoon well into Monday afternoon.

Some flights have been cancelled while LNER has cancelled dozens of services between London and the North-East.

LNER is running a reduced service and is advising passengers who can defer travel to Monday to do so and says speed restrictions will be in place across the network.

The Met Office has issued multiple national severe weather warnings for wind and rain from Saturday through to Monday, including several amber rain warnings for parts of England and Wales.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: “Storm Dennis will bring another very unsettled spell of weather this weekend with a risk of flooding, particularly in parts of England and Wales and also southern Scotland, where snowmelt will add to the flood risk.

 “Following Storm Ciara last weekend and further spells of rain this week, the ground is already saturated in places. With Storm Dennis bringing further heavy and persistent rain over the weekend, there is a risk of significant impacts from flooding, including damage to property and a danger to life from fast flowing floodwater.

“Our advice is to keep an eye on the latest weather forecast and weather warnings for your area and to follow the safety advice from officials."