Storm Debi: Met Office upgrade weather alert as 60mph winds and heavy rain hit Merseyside

The Met Office have upgraded their weather warning for some parts of Merseyside from yellow to amber as Storm Debi brings gales and heavy rain to the region.

The Sefton coast looks set to be worst hit and has been moved to an amber alert, which runs from 10am until 4pm on Monday. The rest of Merseyside has been issued with a yellow warning, which came into force from 4am on Monday and runs until 6pm.

The Met Office predicts winds will hit 53mph in the city and inland regions, with gusts topping 60mph in coastal areas such as Southport and Formby. The national weather service has warned that injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible. Damage to buildings and disruption to travel is also likely.

Heavy rain will hit Merseyside on Sunday afternoon and again in the early hours of Monday morning, when Storm Debi arrives from across the Irish Sea. Strong winds are due to hit their peak in the region at around noon on Monday.

The Met Office said: “Storm Debi is expected to develop and move across Ireland and northern England on Monday. Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the exact track and depth of this low, there is a chance of very strong westerly winds developing along Irish Sea coasts of Wales and northwest England on Monday morning before extending inland during the day, slowly easing later.

"There is a chance of 60-65 mph gusts developing inland and 70-80 mph around coasts, and over some higher ground, such as the Pennines.”

The weather service has issued tips and advice for staying safe during strong winds and storms.