Police said a cordon has been put in place around the area until the damage can be assessed by experts.

The storm is set to bring a month of rainfall in one day to parts of the UK accompanied by winds of 80 mph in what is possibly the country's most widespread amber warning since records began, according to the Met Office.

Parts of England and Wales could see as much as 100mm of rainfall on Sunday which is more than the average rainfall of 97mm for the entire month of February.

Storm Ciara and will unleash strong winds and heavy rain over the weekend and large waves could also pose a deadly threat in coastal areas.

The Met Office's warning shows Storm Ciara bringing between 50 and 70mm of rainfall to other parts of the UK before she sweeps eastwards towards Scandanavia and the Baltics.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "It is certainly one of the biggest, if not the biggest Amber warning we have ever seen in the UK, based on coverage and using this warning system.

"What is significant is the widespread nature of it. Quite often, we get storms in certain parts of the country but this one is going to affect all parts of the UK.

"We are right in the firing line. Every part of the UK will feel the force of it.

"Potentially a month's worth of rainfall could fall over north Wales and north west England.

"The average rainfall for February is 97mm whereas the warning shows between 50 and 70mm widely with as much as 100mm."

Forecasters issued an amber warning, citing potential "danger to life" from towering waves and flying debris. One of the biggest hazards could be poor visibility on the roads.

The warning has been issued because of the likely severity of the impact given the time the storm will sweep through Britain during the day.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Our warnings are impact based. It is because it is coming through day time hours and not just overnight. If the storm was coming overnight, the warning might not be as big because not as many people are out and about.

"Being out on the roads will be one of the biggest hazards. The combination of wind and rain could cause big sprays and poor visibility. High sided vehicles will have to take extra care.

"Ciara will be gone by Sunday night, and have been and gone within 24 hours.

"Scandinavia and the Baltics will feel the force of Ciara as she moves on. It remains windy Monday and Tuesday but that is not with Ciara."

Rainfall warnings are in force for Northern Ireland and Wales, the Pennines and the Southern Uplands.

The Met Office warned people throughout the country to secure outside furniture and belongings including trampolines and wheelie bins.

A spokesperson added: "Common debris could include reference to people who leave their bins out, trampolines and falling trees.

"If there is anything you have at home that you think could get carried by wind, tie it down or put it away. Anywhere is susceptible to seeing gusts of those strengths, it is not just a coastal issue this time.

"Frequent snow showers will scatter parts of the north and west of the UK once Storm Ciara has passed, bringing up to 10cm of snow. Northern Ireland and Scotland will see blizzards with gusts of between 50 and 60 mph.

It is expected the strong winds will cause travel chaos by disrupting road, rail, air and ferry services, while some bridges may have to close.

Guy Addington, of the RNLI, said: “This rough weather could make visiting our coasts around the UK and Ireland treacherous and bring very dangerous sea conditions.

“Sadly, around 150 people accidentally lose their lives around UK and Irish waters each year and over half of these people didn’t plan on ever entering the water. Slips, trips and falls can be a major factor in these kinds of incidents.”