Storm Franklin forecast: latest news and updates from the Met Office

These incredible photographs show waves crashing over Newhaven Lighthouse and people walking by in East Sussex, the waters of the River Severn approaching homes in Ironbridge, Shropshire, and windsurfers braving Storm Franklin in the bay of Bracklesham, West Sussex.

Stormchasers aren’t the only adrenaline junkies to make the most of extreme weather conditions.

Windsurfers have been spotted in Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, as the UK prepares for Storm Franklin – the third storm to hit the country in less than a week.

The O2 said it would remain closed until Friday while repair work is carried out on its roof after Storm Eunice tore it apart.

Two concerts given by British rapper Dave on Monday and Tuesday are postponed, with the rescheduled dates to be announced within the next 48 hours, the venue said.

The O2 said it expected the scheduled UB40 concert to go ahead as planned on Friday.

The site said in a statement: “The O2 prides itself on being a place full of entertainment, but after Friday’s storm we are not quite at our best.

“We want to continue to provide a top-notch safe and secure experience for our visitors, so we have made the decision to remain closed until Friday February 25 to allow us time to carry out some necessary work on our roof.

“For Up at The O2 and any other attraction bookings through Friday 25th February, please contact the venue you made it with directly to rearrange.

“If you have tickets for an upcoming show at the arena, rest assured that we are working hard to prepare for our event on site and we are almost there.”

Cumbria has already been hit by flooding amid today’s heavy rain.

Pictures show the Rose and Crown pub in the village of Low Hesket, just outside Carlisle, surrounded by flood waters.

Keswick campsite in the Lake District received a flood warning, the second highest level of flood alerts.

This means that people in this area must “act now” by taking the necessary safety precautions – such as at-risk households cutting off their gas, water and electricity supplies – as flooding is expected.

Cumbria County has received around a dozen flood alerts – the lowest level of flood warnings.

Flood alerts indicate that people at risk of flooding should prepare for such incidents by gathering important insurance documents and medications, and stay alert for higher level flood alerts.

Manchester City Council has said some people may need to be evacuated from their homes as a precaution ahead of predicted flooding in the area.

Two severe flood warnings have been issued for parts of Northenden and West and East Didsbury due to rising levels of the River Mersey caused by heavy rain.

In a statement, the council said: “The Environment Agency has issued these warnings as a precaution and may result in the evacuation of some residents due to the risk of flooding to their properties.

“This risk has been exacerbated due to the heavy rains which continue to fall on already saturated ground.

“The council is working with its partners at Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency to help residents who need to evacuate their homes before flooding.”

The government has some advice for people in areas that have received severe flood warnings.

People ‘must act now’ to ensure they are taking precautions and have measures in place to deal with the floods.

It is advisable to keep items such as a torch, spare batteries, a mobile phone and its charger, warm clothes, important insurance numbers, water, food, a first aid kit, childcare items if necessary and medication.

People should also be prepared to call 999 – and possibly evacuate their property if requested by emergency services – if they are in immediate danger of flooding, the government says on its website.

Driving or walking through floodwater – which can be toxic – is not advised, as just 30cm of fast-flowing water could knock someone over or wash out a car, he also says.

Pets and family members should be kept out of flood waters as wading through them carries the risk of injury from debris, open manhole covers, sewage and toxic chemicals.

Residents of Greater Manchester are urged to prepare for the risk of severe flooding in the area.

Greater Manchester is one of the northern regions expected to experience heavy showers today and tomorrow.

Yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for the county for heavy rain and high winds.

Just after midday today the Environment Agency issued two severe flood warnings due to the high risk of two rivers bursting their banks due to melting snow from the weekend and heavy rain .

Flood warnings have been issued for the River Mersey in East Didsbury and the River Mersey in West Didsbury and Northenden.

Power outages during Storm Eunice have seen the number of carbon monoxide-related incidents and near-miss fires increase, firefighters warn.

The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said there were a number of dangerous near misses in the areas it serves.

On Saturday, firefighters were called to a home where someone lit a gas barbecue indoors to heat up and cook food.

A carbon monoxide alarm alerted residents to dangerous levels of the deadly gas and they were able to escape.

A few doors away, a resident was sleeping upstairs in his home, and a gas fire with a number of candles was left unattended downstairs.

Wayne Rawlins, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said torches or battery-powered lamps should be used during power outages, and all candles should be in heat-resistant candle holders, away from objects – and never be left unattended.

He added: “Barbecues should never be used indoors. They are not designed for this and should only be used in well-ventilated outdoor areas.

“…If you, or someone you know, is without power, please share these tips with them to help them stay safe until their power is restored.”

The Met Office recording three major storms in the space of a few days is unprecedented in the seven years since the storm naming system was introduced.

Meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “This is the first time we’ve had three named storms in one week, and we launched the storm naming system in 2015.

“At the moment we have a very active jet stream, which is why we see so many storms heading directly into the UK.

“We had Dudley on Wednesday, Eunice on Friday and Franklin today.”

East of England will see winds of up to 50mph, increasing to around 60mph on exposed coasts – a forecaster has said.

The BBC’s Elizabeth Rizzini said these wind speeds would be recorded in East Anglia, London and the South East.