SOMERSET has several flood warnings in place as stormy weather continues to impact the area.

There are red flood warnings for three areas of West Somerset - Minehead, Dunster and Porlock Weir, as a result of the recent strong winds and spring tides.

In Minehead the area between Quay West and The Warren is highlighted, with the Environment Agency saying exposed sea front properties may be affected by changeable wind strength and direction, and there is a further risk of shingle being thrown up onto the road alongside these properties.

The same applies for the coastline at Dunster up to Sea Lane End and including the Dunster Chalets, and between Bossington and Porlock Weir from Gore Point to Hurlstone Point including properties and businesses on the lockside, Gibraltar Cottages and other low lying properties on the B3225 at at Porlock Weir.

Affecting South Somerset and Devon there is a red flood warning regarding the River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster, with heavy rain overnight causing the river level to rise.

There have been reports of the A358 road at Donyatt being flooded.

Meanwhile there are also a number of yellow flood warnings in place too.

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In West Somerset there is a risk of flooding to low-lying land and roads from the Horner Water, River Aller, River Avill, Washford River and Pill River, and the Hawkcombe, Monksilver and Doniford Streams, and tributaries, however it is thought properties are unlikely to be affected.

In Sedgemoor there are yellow flood warnings for much of the coastal area including Combwich, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Steart, Stolford, Brean and Weston-super-Mare.

The Environment Agency says these flood warnings will updated later today (Thursday, February 13), and that with Storm Dennis due on Saturday, their incident response staff are monitoring coastal conditions closely.

The Met Office weather forecast states that the South West faces a wet and windy start, becoming drier and brighter later.

There may be some heavy, possibly thundery downpours in the morning but it should clear through the afternoon and will be milder than recent days.

There is expected to be a brief respite until Friday afternoon when heavy and strong winds will once again arrive, with rain and gales expected on Saturday.