Scotland braced for flooding as storm hits COASTAL communities have been warned to expect flooding today as winds of up to 70mph and "quite spectacular" waves batter Scotland. A total of 17 flood warnings were in force in Scotland last night, including for Oban, Fort William and Corpach, where the risk will be highest at 7am. Four streets were also threatened in nearby Caol. And south of the Border, where there were 13 severe flood warnings in place, families were warned to stay away from coastal paths and promenades along hundreds of miles of coastline or risk being swept out to sea. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said flooding was expected and "immediate action" was required. It said: "A combination of high tides and prevailing weather conditions means flooding from the sea is expected to affect low-lying land, roads and properties." Its spokesman said tides along the west coast would be exceptionally high due to the forecast storm surge, and people "should be cautious because it does pose a risk." The Met Office has issued a yellow - "be aware" - severe warning for today for the western half of Scotland south from Skye, along with parts of Perthshire and the Borders. It published a further yellow alert for Sunday. A spokesman said: "Another spell of unsettled weather is expected on Friday, with further wet and windy conditions likely across Scotland. A developing Atlantic low pressure system is expected to move north-eastwards just to the west of Scotland. Winds of 60-70mph are expected on the west coast, with a high spring tide which could create some quite spectacular waves hitting the shoreline. In its fourth weather warning for Scotland in a week, the Met Office said very high tides and winds of up to 50mph also risked large waves and flooding on the west coast on Sunday. That alert covers the entire Dumfries and Galloway coast and an inland area in its south west corner, and the South Ayrshire coast south from Ayr, from 9am-6pm on Sunday. Sepa also has 14 flood warnings in force in Perthshire for stretches of the Rivers Earn, Islay, Lyon, Tay and Tummel, with areas at risk including a caravan site in Aberfeldy. A spokesman said: "Further rain is expected during Thursday night and Friday. River levels will remain high during Friday. CalMac warned of disruption to ferries on 14 routes today, including between Ardrossan and Brodick in Arran. It said forecast 62mph winds could disrupt sailings to Bute from both Wemyss Bay and Rhubodach. Its Oban-Colonsay-Islay-Kintyre service has been cancelled. The Met Office warnings follow an amber - "be prepared" - warning on Monday which was followed by some of the worst flooding recorded in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and the Borders. A total of 150 people were evacuated, including seven airlifted by helicopter from a farmhouse near Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway, and 100 properties flooded. There was also a yellow warning on New Year's Day In south west England, 13 severe flood warnings were in force, which are classed as a "danger to life." Pete Fox, the Environment Agency's head of strategy said: "Coastal paths and promenades could be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea. People are warned to stay away from the shoreline. The body of a 27-year-old man from Surrey was found by a member of the public on Porthleven Sands beach in Cornwall yesterday. He had been swept out to sea on New Year's Eve after paddling with friends. A search was launched in Dorset for a man who is believed to have fallen into the River Stour in Christchurch yesterday.