The Westcountry is preparing to be battered by the ocean this weekend as the 'super tide' approaches.
Coastal defences have been put in place across the region as a 'sea swell' combined with a rare alignment between the moon and sun is expected to cause some of the highest spring tides in the last 20 years.
The so-called supertide will peak at the weekend as a rare alignment between the moon and sun triggers a higher than normal gravitational pull which will cause the sea to rise to an unusually high level.
It is predicted tides up to 15metres in height could be experienced, particularly along the north coast of Devon and Cornwall.
The Environment Agency says it is monitoring the situation carefully and teams are already on the ground checking flood defences.
Meanwhile the Met Office is tracking a storm which is heading towards the Westcountry which could bring winds of up to 75 mph which combined with higher than usual tides could threaten coastal communities.
Paul Gainey, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said the weekend was a concern.
"Saturday is likely to be the pinch point," he said.
"We think the North Cornwall coast will be one of the most affected areas and we already have crews out with flood gates and panels being put in place."
Fears that supertide could coincide with the incoming storm appear to have subsided as it appears the worst of weather will roll in from the Atlantic on Monday, two days after the peak tide.
The watermark will still be high, but the situation will be of less concern if it is on the ebb.
Yesterday, (thur) the Environment Agency had not issued any flood warnings, but it is thought this will change today as householders are put on the alert.
Last night Cornwall Council said that there were no plans to open a control centre and while high tides were expected over the weekend, it was not anticipated that they would coincide with storms.
A spokeswoman said that the council's emergency management team will be monitoring the situation.
A spokeswoman for the Met Office said wet weather would continue today (fri) and there was likely to be cold night with freezing temperatures in places.
Saturday is likely to be showery and then dry, but on Sunday a surge of heavy rain is expected as a prelude to a powerful storm rolling in from the Atlantic.
"We tracking a storm but its path is uncertain at the moment," said the spokeswoman.
"However, it is looking like it will bring strong, gusting winds of up to 75mph and gusting showers as well.
"This will start in the early hours of this morning and last most of the day."
So-called supertides occur once every 19 years and scientists have warned the rare astronomical alignment which causes them could mean there are another five this year.
A year ago, the Westcountry was in the grip of a series of powerful storms which lashed the region causing widespread damage to coastal communities and transport links.
