Cumbria Police is asking people to secure loose items in gardens such as bins and trampolines and to avoid travelling if possible.
Superintendent Matt Pearman said: “The public can be reassured that all agencies are working together to ensure our communities have access to the help and support they may need.
“But we would ask them to make themselves aware of the key contacts and ensure any vulnerable people within our communities are also aware and prepared.”
In Northumberland, a winter ultra run, the Montane Cheviot Goat, a 59 mile (95km) loop of the Cheviot Hills has been cancelled on the advice of mountain rescue groups.
Organiser Drew Swinburne said: “We had hoped to run it with an amended route but clearly the right thing to do now is to call it off.”