A surfer has been rescued by the Coastguard after attempting to take to the waves during Storm Ciara.
Clips shared on social media, show members of the RNLI and a Coastguard helicopter heading out from the coast of Hasting, in East Sussex, to rescue the man, who was reportedly found alive six miles from the coast.
In one clip, a RNLI boat can be seen getting tossed around the waves, turning upside down at one point.
According to the BBC, the man was found in Rye Bay at around 1.30pm, after being spotted struggling at 11am.
Saffron Peterson, who called emergency services, told the BBC the man appeared to be ‘sucked under the swell’ after losing his board.
HM Coastguard said: “The surfer was seen to lose his surf board by a Coastguard team who were out on patrol this afternoon.
“The Coastguard helicopter, Hastings RNLI Lifeboat, Bexhill Coastguard Rescue Team and Ryde Bay Coastguard Rescue Team carried out the search for him.”
In a statement, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard has been coordinating the search off Hastings for a missing surfer this afternoon.
“The man has just been located in Rye Bay.
“The surfer was seen to lose his surfboard by a coastguard team who were out on patrol this afternoon.
“The coastguard helicopter, Hastings RNLI Lifeboat, Bexhill Coastguard Rescue Team and Ryde Bay Coastguard Rescue Team carried out the search for him.”
Earlier today, the RNLI urged people to ‘stay clear of exposed areas and breaking waves’ while Storm Ciara rages on.
A warning from The Environment Agency reads: “We are issuing the severe flood warning for the River Nidd at Pateley Bridge due to forecast overtopping of flood defences.
“River levels are rising rapidly due to heavy rainfall, associated with Storm Ciara. Heavy showers are expected to continue through Sunday afternoon 09/02/2020.
“The river Nidd is forecast to begin overtopping flood defences in Pateley Bridge at about 12:30 this afternoon. The river level is forecast to peak at 5.1m at 2pm on Sunday.
“This will lead to significant overtopping and may pose a danger to life.”
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