Storm Floris to Batter Sefton: Danger-to-Life Weather Warning Issued

Sefton Bubble
2 days ago
2 min read

Sefton residents are being urged to prepare for severe weather conditions as Storm Floris is set to sweep across the region on Monday, August 4th, bringing with it potentially dangerous winds and disruption.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for Wind that covers the entire Sefton borough — including Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, Maghull, Crosby, Hightown, Waterloo, Seaforth, Litherland, Bootle, and Aintree — from 6am on Monday to 6am on Tuesday, August 5th.

“Unseasonably Strong Winds” for August

Forecasters are warning that westerly winds could reach speeds of 60 to 70mph along exposed coasts such as Formby and Southport, with gusts of 40 to 50mph inland. This level of wind is highly unusual for this time of year and brings a number of potential hazards.

The Met Office states there is a risk of:

Injury or danger to life from flying debris
Damage to buildings, such as tiles being blown from roofs
Large waves and beach material being thrown onto seafronts and coastal roads
Power cuts and potential disruption to mobile and broadband services
Travel disruption on both roads and railways
Hazardous conditions near beaches and promenades

In coastal areas like Formby Beach, Southport Promenade and Crosby Seafront, people are advised to stay clear of the shoreline during peak wind times, with strong gusts and sea spray likely to make conditions dangerous.

Worst of the Storm Expected Monday Afternoon into the Night

The strongest winds are likely to hit during Monday afternoon and into the night, with a slight easing expected in western areas by late Monday. However, the eastern side of Sefton — including Maghull, Aintree, and Bootle — may still experience strong gusts into the early hours of Tuesday.

While the most severe gusts — up to 85mph — are expected to strike the Scottish coastline and hills, Sefton’s proximity to the Irish Sea means local coastal towns will feel a significant brunt of the storm.

Prepare Now

Residents across Sefton are being urged to take precautions this weekend ahead of the storm’s arrival. That includes securing loose garden furniture, bins, trampolines, and any items that could become dangerous if airborne. Drivers should prepare for possible road closures or tree fall, and coastal walkers are advised to stay inland.

Sefton Council, local emergency services, and Merseytravel will be monitoring the situation closely and issuing localised updates as needed.

Widespread Regional Impact

In addition to Sefton, this weather warning extends to the broader North West region, including Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Merseyside, Warrington, and Lancashire.

Storm Floris is the latest in a growing list of named storms hitting the UK in 2025, but the timing and strength of this system has taken many by surprise.

Stay tuned to Sefton Bubble and all our local pages for updates, alerts, travel news, and public safety information as the storm develops.

🟡 STAY SAFE, SEFTON.