People across the whole of Devon are bracing themselves for the worst the weather can throw at us as we await the arrival of Storm Ciarán later today (Wednesday, November 1).

The Met Office is warning of heavy downpours and strong winds, with three yellow weather warnings in place between 6pm today and midnight tomorrow.

And National Grid has put extra staff on alert to deal with nay problems that could affect power supplies.

The Met Office has already put out a yellow rain warning covering the period from 6pm today until midnight tomorrow and a wind warning from 9pm today until.

READ MORE: When the three weather warnings will be in place.

During that time, there is a small chance of:

  • damage to buildings and homes could occur, with roofs blown off and power lines and trees brought down;
  • flying debris resulting in a danger to life;
  • injuries and danger to life occurring from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties;
  • roads, bridges and railway lines closing, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.

There is also a more serious amber wind warning for Devon from 3am on Thursday until 1pm the same day.

During the amber wind warning, people should expect:

  • Flying debris could result in a danger to life;
  • Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and trees and power lines brought down;
  • Roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights;
  • Power cuts could occur and affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage;
  • There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

Meanwhile National Grid says it has put in place a range of measures to ensure it is "ready to deal with potential power cuts".

They added that the company will have:

  • additional operational and engineering staff ready and on stand-by to respond to any network issues;
  • additional contact and control centre operatives available to manage the electricity network and to help customers with their enquiries;
  • put arrangements in place to open offices early as required;
  • preparations to operate 24/7 in support of operational field staff, such as IT and communications);
  • home workers available to assist throughout the business and ramp up rooms are on standby to open if necessary;
  • helicopters available to fly and identify badly affected areas to hasten repairs if safe to do so from first light;
  • planned work will be cancelled as appropriate;
  • regular updates will be published online and on social media to keep customers updated on the latest situation;
  • arrangements in place to open offices early as required.

The National Grid had prepared some tips you may find helpful to help you prepare for Storm Ciaran:

  • keep the company's telephone number handy or save it in your mobile phone (105 or 0800 6783 105) so that you can report a power cut or call for information and advice;
  • keep a battery/solar charger handy so that you can recharge your smart phone or tablet and follow updates on social media and our online power cut map;
  • keep your freezer shut – depending on the type of freezer you have, the contents could stay frozen for up to 12 hours;
  • check that you have a phone available that will work in a power cut – digital or cordless ones may not work;
  • have things like a torch or lantern ready (it is best not to use candles or paraffin lights);
  • protect sensitive electrical equipment such as computers with a surge protector plug;
  • if you have a mains operated stairlift, check to see if there is a manual release handle that can be used to return it safely to ground level if it stops working.

If you need to report a problem, use the free 105 nationwide emergency telephone number.

For the most vulnerable customers, National Grid also provides additional support during a power cut - there is more information on the Priority Services Register on its website.

A network outage map is live and shows localities currently affected.

Here's a brief forecast across Somerset and North Somerset for the next two days.

Showers on Wednesday morning will gradually clear eastwards in the afternoon.

There is a risk of infrequent lightning during the daytime, mainly along the coasts.

Drier conditions will continue until the early evening when very strong, potentially damaging, southerly or south-easterly winds and heavy rain will move in from the South West in association with Storm Ciaran.

The rain will fall heaviest overnight and gusts are expected to peak at 70 to 80mph, this most likely along coastal areas.

A few exposed coastal spots may see gusts of 85mph at times. Inland, gusts of 65-75mph are possible.