All the Storm Eunice travel updates, flood warnings and closures across the North West
The North West is feeling the affects of Storm Eunice as high winds have closed roads and disrupted travel across the region, while a number of flood warnings are also in place.
Avanti West Coast has suspended services for the rest of the day, some roads have been closed due to fallen trees and Manchester Airport says 10% of flights have been cancelled.
Thousands have also been left without power across the region as Storm Eunice reaches its peak across the North West.
In Grange-Over-Sands more than 1000 homes are without power, while in Chorley around 480 households are affected, and there are 850 currently powerless in Skelmersdale.
Roads
A lorry driver in Cheshire had a lucky escape after strong winds caused his HGV to overturn on the M56 west, between junction 9 and 10.
National Highways says Northern routes most likely to be affected by Storm Eunice include the M62, A628 and A66 along with high structures and elevated areas such as Thelwall Viaduct and Shap.
Bosses say they are putting extra patrols out to deal with the rise in incidents they expect to see over the coming days.
In Bolton Le Sands the A6 Main Road in both directions is blocked due to fallen tree between Morecambe turn off and St Nicholas Lane.
Tree down on Victoria Park in Manchester
Trains
All rail companies across the UK are urging people to only travel is absolutely necessary.
Wigan North Western to Lancaster - services have been suspended on Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast and Northern between
Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport - services suspended on Transpennine Express and East Midlands Railway due to fallen tree on the line.
A number of operators are running a heavily reduced service, including Transpennine Express and London Northwestern.
Avanti West Coast have suspended all services for the rest of Friday, 18 February, due to multiple weather-related incidents around the network.
A spokesperson said: "Please do not come to the station. Tickets for Friday 18 February will be valid for Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 21 February."
Trains are not currently stopping at Preston due to concerns about the station's roof.
Flood warnings
Strong winds, large waves and spray have overtopped sea walls on the Merseyside coast, and the Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings for Warrington and one at New Brighton.
Flooding is expected at the Mersey Estuary at Arpley Bridge, Fiddlers Ferry, Victoria Park are under warnings as well as the Irish Sea at New Brighton.
There are also a number of flood alerts in the region.
A number of flood alerts are in place in the North West:
Ollie Hope, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, explains what the warnings mean.
Coastal closures
In Southport - Marine Drive is closed from Fairway to Weld Road between the hours of 10am and 3pm
In New Brighton - Harrison Drive to Rowson Street is closed from 9.30am-4pm.
In West Kirby - Dee Lane and South Parade is closed from 9.30am-4pm.
All Blackpool Council beaches will be chained off.
Travel for Greater Manchester
People across Greater Manchester have been strongly urged to avoid all but "absolutely necessary" travel.
Transport for Greater Manchester has asked customers to "please consider whether your journey is essential today and take care if you are out and about".
The operator said Storm Eunice was "likely to cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds today" across the region from 5am until 9pm.
Merseyside
Mersey Ferries have had to temporarily suspend services until further notice.
They are urging passengers to check their website and social media pages, which they say they will be providing updates on.
Meanwhile, Merseyrail has said services may be subject to delays and cancellations due to strong winds.
There is no service between Ormskirk and Aintree due to obstruction on the line, while an obstruction on the line at Moreton, requiring an isolation of the track, has led to services starting and terminating at Bidston.
Isle of Man
Ferry service suspended on Isle of Man Steam Packet between Douglas and Heysham due to high winds.
Check the latest travel updates on the Steam Packet company website.
Park closures
Sefton - the Botanic Gardens, Hesketh Park, Moorside Park, Derby Park and Victoria Park are closed and the council say a safety assessment will be carried out at each park prior to a decision to reopen.
St Helens - all public parks are closed for the day and residents are advised not to visit open spaces like Sankey Valley, where there is an increased risk of falling trees in strong winds. Earlestown Market will also be closed.
Cheshire West and Chester - parks and household waste and recycling centres are closed.
Other closures
Chester Zoo has closed for the day (Friday, 18 February) because of the weather for the safety of the animals and visitors.
A spokesperson from Chester Zoo said: "For everyone’s safety we’re going to keep our gates closed on Friday (18 Feb), while the animals will be tucked up cosy and warm under the watchful eye of our amazing zoo teams.
"If you have tickets to the zoo for tomorrow then we’ve automatically extended them for a whole year until the end of Feb 2023.
"Just keep hold of your booking and you’ll be able to use them any time you like until then."