WILD weather is set to continue for the next 30 days with residents warned about heavy rain and strong winds.

Forecasters are warning of low pressure fronts for the next month with Southend Council warning people to stay in their homes and batten down the hatches.

A new storm is set to hit today and although not as strong as those in recent weeks, there are fears already saturated ground could lead to flooding in some areas.

Despite the concerns, no flood warnings are yet to be issued by the Environment Agency.

Tony Cox, Southend councillor for public protection, waste and transport, said: “We would advise people to take appropriate steps to secure their homes and property against the weather if it becomes more severe.

“There is potential for trees and power lines to come down as a result of high winds and for flying debris to be a danger at the peak of a storm.

“If possible, people should stay inside until the worst of the weather has passed.

“It’s vitally important to check in on vulnerable neighbours, especially if they are elderly or infirm, and take action in an emergency, calling 999 if you are in danger, or people have been injured, and follow the advice of the emergency services.”

Train firms suffered badly during the recent storms, with a number of sercvices cancelled, but they are not expecting any disruption this time around.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We have weather forecasts for us so that our responses are dependent on those.

“If there is heavy wind and rain, we have chainsaw gangs on standby and our first trains go out with engineers on them.

“If the weather is more severe, there is a huge range of things we can do – including imposing speed restrictions.”

Rail company c2c said services would be running tonight while a spokeswoman for Greater Anglia said: “We are working closely with Network Rail and together we are monitoring the situation for any potential impact on our train services.

“We will update customers should any alterations to services become necessary.”

An Essex Weather Centre spokesman said: “Further wind and rain is modelled for the remainder of the week and flooding may once again become a reality in places.

“Currently, no flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency in Essex.”

Nationally, about 70 flood alerts are in place, as well as five serious flood warnings, with that number expected to rise.

Thousands of homes were without power over Christmas and the Government has now urged power networks to cancel New Year holidays as more storms head for Britain.