Businesses across the West are being warned to of the possibility of more flooding this weekend as gale-force winds and rain continue to batter the region.
The Environment Agency has issued a series of warnings and alerts with firms operating in coastal parts of North Somerset and in low-lying areas along the River Avon particularly vulnerable to being caught up in the storms and high tides.
Spring tides, which are already high, are coinciding with surges caused by the strong winds. 
In Weston-super-Mare seafront businesses were forced to close as strong waves swept up by the wind broke over sea walls strewing debris across the promanade.
North Somerset Council said the town’s sea defence gates would be closed again this evening to protect seafront properties from flooding and officers will be on stand by and will continue to monitor the situation.
The Avon burst its banks in several places in Bristol this morning with flooding in the Cumberland Basin and in St Phillips Marsh. However, no properties are understood to have been affected.
Some sections of the Portway along with Cumberland Road and the Cattle Market Road/Feeder Road area were closed this morning due to flooding but later re-opened.
This evening's tides are expected to be lower.
The M48 Severn Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles and a speed restriction of 40 mph is in place for other vehicles.
Bristol City Council has urged businesses with gullies outside their premises in affected areas to make sure they are clear to allow excess water to drain away.
Sections of the emergency flood barrier have been deployed for the first time across Avon Crescent where it meets Cumberland Road. As a result, traffic is being diverted.
The highest risk of floods, according to the council, will be before and after peak tide levels, which will be this evening at 8:57pm and on tomorrow at 9:17am and 9:42pm.
For the latest flood warning information and how to prepare for flooding contact:
* Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188
* http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
* Bristol City Council emergency control centre on 0117 922 2050
Meanwhile DAS, the Bristol-based legal expenses insurer, says any business suffering flood or storm damage should follow these basic tips to help their insurance claims:
- Retrieve the business’s insurance policy documents and read their wording carefully to understand the level of cover.
- Collect any receipts as these can be used to strengthen the position of the financial extent of a claim.
- Contact the business’s broker or insurer as soon as possible to submit the claim.
- Document the damage to the business. Take photos, especially of the height reached by the floodwater.
- Do not throw away or replace any damaged items without approval from the insurer.
- Limit any further damage by removing non-damaged items that might be at risk from being in damp environment.
DAS provides loss assist policies that give businesses their own dedicated loss adjustor.
The loss adjustor will assess the damage and help with submitting the claim as well as being in contact with the insurer-appointed loss adjustor. This ensures that the policyholder receives the full benefit from their insurance, help get interim payments where appropriate and assist in making sure that claims are progressed as smoothly and quickly as possible.
