Storm Claudia has hit the UK, resulting in cars being crushed under falling trees and up to six inches of rainfall.
Amber warnings have been issued by the Met Office across England and parts of Wales, with some flooding expected.
The Environmental Agency has issued 102 flood alerts and three flood warnings across Britain.
The Lake District and Carlisle are two areas likely to be affected.
Trees have fallen across the UK, with one blocking a road in Teign Valley, Devon, and another falling on three cars on a road in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
West Midlands Railway said this afternoon that a tree struck one of its trains, damaging it and blocking the line.
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Disruption has been reported across the UK’s rail networks, with flooding closing lines to Exeter St David’s, delays on Avanti West Coast services, and speed restrictions on some ScotRail routes.
TransPennine, Chiltern, London Northwestern and West Midlands services all encouraged travellers to check whether the weather will impact their journey.
Sally Davies, Duty Tactical Manager Wales at Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said: “Storm Claudia is expected to bring persistent and slow-moving rainfall across all of Wales, but it will be extremely heavy in parts of South East Wales and Powys.
“This could lead to severe flooding in these areas, and we want people in these areas to prepare for that possibility.”
More than 100 flood warnings are in place
|ENVIRONMENT AGENCY / PA
Warning drivers, Ms Davies added: “Driving conditions during people’s commute home from work today will be particularly treacherous.
“If you are out, take extreme caution and never drive or walk through floodwaters.”
Although Scotland is not covered in the Met Office’s warnings, some areas saw snowfall this morning as Storm Claudia brought a cold front across Britain.
The Met Office said colder air will bring overnight frosts to most, with lows of minus five possible in rural Scotland.
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Storm Claudia expected to dump month's worth of rain on Ireland and UK | GB NEWSHeavy and persistent rain is expected, with 81.8 millimetres of rainfall recorded between 6pm Thursday and 4pm today at a Natural Resources Wales gauge at Tafalog in Gwent, the Met Office reported.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Rebekah Hicks said: “Impacted areas will continue to see increasingly lighter rainfall through Saturday morning before eventually turning drier through the afternoon and into Sunday.
“There remains a risk of flooding, so people should keep up to date with local flood warnings and take action where necessary.”
The Amber warnings remain in place until midnight for England and Wales, before turning into Yellow warnings which will remain in place until 6am, and until midday for Northern Ireland.
Britain has been battered by Storm Claudia with up to six inches of rain expected in just 12 hours
| PAFloods Minister Emma Hardy told The Sun: “As parts of the country are forecast to experience heavy rainfall, I recognise people will be concerned about the risk to their homes and livelihoods.
“I am in regular contact with the Environment Agency on their response to the expected flooding who, alongside local authorities and the emergency services, are already taking action to keep communities safe.”
The Met Office said that after rainfall weakens, high pressure in the northwest will push the low pressure of Storm Claudia south.
This will lead to drier and brighter weather for many, the national agency said.