Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the Army is on standby ahead of Storm Eunice, which is expected to hit large parts of the UK on Friday morning.
A rare Met Office red alert has been issued and one council area has already declared a major incident, with some schools saying they will stay shut tomorrow.
Mr Johnson was asked on a visit to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire if he would deploy the army to combat the red weather warning and whether financial help would be available for those affected.
Boris Johnson said in response: “So for those who have already been affected by Storm Dudley, we are offering all the support that we can.
“My sympathies to those who are still without power – we are working with the power companies, the local authorities to get their juice restored as fast as possible.
“But of course, the army is on standby.”
People have been urged to stay indoors and not to risk taking 'storm selfies' as Eunice is expected to bring high winds and flooding in parts of the South West of England and Wales, and snow and ice in northern parts of England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A cold weather alert has also been issued for parts of northern England.
While a major incident has been declared in Gloucestershire amid fears of flooding.
