Sussex is bracing itself for what experts predict will be the worst storm to hit the UK in more than two decades.

The Met Office has issued an amber alert for the South East, which means “be prepared”, as fore- casters predict winds of up to 60 and 70mph inland and more than 80mph along the coast, with risks of localised flooding tomorrow.

The stormy weather will be the result of a very intense low pressure system that is predicted to run north-eastwards from tonight through to tomorrow.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Sussex is going to get an awful lot of this weather.

“The whole of the South will see the worst of it and particularly on the coast we’re likely to see winds of more than 80mph on Monday.”
 

Residents are being warned of the risks of falling trees and damage to buildings and other structures which could result in delays to transport and power supplies.

Paul Farrow, director of County Tree Surgeons for Sussex, said: “There is no rhyme nor reason for falling trees apart from if they’re weakened due to decay or if they have dead branches.

“Although we don’t have standby teams on normal days, requests from clients and recent call outs for fallen trees mean we have a team of tree surgeons ready to go if there’s trouble.”

On Friday, Brighton and Hove City Council’s emergency response team met local emergency services, the Met Office and the Environment Agency to co-ordinate their responses to the storm.

A council spokesman said: “On Sunday additional crews will be avail- able should there be debris or fallen trees to clear and they will also assess any potential damage to buildings.

“On Monday morning additional staff will take over from the night crews to continue with any work that is required as a result of the storm.

“We are advising the public not to leave any loose items outside their homes, to secure any sheds or greenhouses and to firmly shut windows on Sunday evening as the storm may come overnight.
 

“During the storm we would advise people not to travel unless they really have to and to stay indoors if possible.”

East and West Sussex fire and rescue are on standby and will be working closely with the Sussex Safer Roads partnership and other agencies to ensure safety in the com- munity.

Hospitals across the county are also on standby to cope with any weather- related injuries and have contingency plans in place if staff face a struggle to get in.

Southern said it was working with Network Rail and would be monitoring the latest Met office forecasts in order to implement contingency plans to reduce any potential impact on train services or to the rail infrastructure.

Stand-by teams to deal with debris on the line or damage have also been put in place.

Passengers are advised to check before travelling.