The Environment Agency is warning of the need to stay vigilant to the threat of flooding, with local surface water flooding probable on Saturday across the South of England and London and possible across parts of the Midlands.

People were being urged to prepare for possible significant inland flooding impacts yesterday and tomorrow due to Storm Ciaran and further heavy rainfall expected to follow.

Minor river flooding is probable in South East England on Saturday and Sunday.

Local river flooding impacts are also possible today across parts of the South of England, East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber as rivers respond to recent rainfall.

Local coastal/tidal flooding is probable in the Norfolk Broads today (Friday) and Saturday.

Currently there are 44 flood warnings in place where flooding is expected and 187 flood alerts where flooding is possible. During the last 24 hours 149 flood warnings have been removed.

Wind remains the biggest threat from the storm, but there are various areas at risk of flooding from rainfall.

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said that large waves and onshore gales brought by Storm Ciarán saw some flooding along parts of the south coast yesterday.

Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground operating assets, working with partners and present in those communities that have experienced flooding, looking to minimise the impact on residents.

Following discussions with trade union Unison, EA staff will no longer take part in the four days of industrial action initially planned to begin at 0700 this morning.

The Met Office said that Storm Ciarán has now moved out into the North Sea, and although its influence has largely waned it is still feeding rain into eastern parts of the UK with a Yellow warning for rain in situ in eastern Scotland until 5pm this evening.

After this the winds will die down allowing parts of Scotland and northern England to experience fog patches and even the odd patch of frost.

The weather forecaster added that in the early hours of Saturday morning another weather front will begin to encroach from the southwest. By noon on Saturday this belt of rain is expected to have moved across much of England and Wales, but conditions will turn more showery behind the front.

A Yellow warning for rain is in place for much of southern England, to cover the initial rain and the subsequent showers, which will be heavy and thundery in places. The ground is saturated in many areas, so some disruption is possible, especially to travel. Temperatures are expected to be around average for early November.