Disruption and flood warning as storm sweeps in

Storm Austen has continued to cause disruption as it sweeps across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, having arrived in the south west overnight.

The Environment Agency (EA) earlier issued flood warnings for the Dorset coast, including the Chiswell area and Christchurch Harbour, with people urged to avoid seafronts and harbours due to waves overtopping and spray containing debris.

Five flood warnings in place for Dorset were all removed shortly after 15:00 BST.

There have been power cuts reported and fallen trees and downed power lines causing disruption to roads, ferries and public transport services.

Elsewhere trains have been disrupted between Weymouth and Brockenhurst after three trees fell.

South Western Railway (SWR) said the first, which came down on the line near Bournemouth, had now been removed and damage to the track repaired, with checks underway to reopen the line.

The company said another tree had since fallen east of Bournemouth station, blocking all lines between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst.

Another tree has also come down near Holton Heath station, blocking the line from Wareham towards Bournemouth.

There have also been cancellations to trains between Eastleigh and Fareham and Eastleigh and Basingstoke also due to fallen trees.

On the Isle of Wight the forecast severe weather expected through Friday has halted Island Line trains along Ryde Pier.

A minibus has been brought in to shuttle passengers along Ryde Pier to reach the Wightlink FastCat to and from Portsmouth.

Red Funnel's Southampton Town Quay to West Cowes Red Jet was also halted, with the vehicle ferry service still running to timetable.

Wightlink cancelled a number of sailings across all three of its routes on Friday.

It later said it had resumed the Lymington-Yarmouth and Portsmouth - Fishbourne vehicle ferry crossings, although warned of further disruption likely when Storm Boelo arrives on Saturday evening.

The weather also disrupted Hovertravel crossings between Southsea in Portsmouth and Ryde.

Brittany Ferries has cancelled sailings on its Poole - Guernsey - St Malo service.

Travellers are being urged to check their journey in full before setting out.

A number of roads in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight were closed while fallen trees were removed.

In the New Forest a fallen electricity cable earlier blocked traffic heading into and out of Lyndhurst on the A35 Romsey Road.

Hampshire County Council said its highways teams were "working around the clock" to deal with the impact of the storm.

It said: "Additional crews and equipment have been deployed across the county to deal with fallen trees, debris and other weather-related incidents affecting local roads.

"Strong winds have damaged a number of trees, and crews have seen a significant increase in fallen tree incidents this afternoon, with some requiring specialist teams to attend."

The council warned that some smaller rural roads could be closed temporarily while work is carried out and urged motorists not to ignore road closure signs or attempt to drive through floodwater.

It also said recycling centres at Segensworth, Bordon, Eastleigh, Gosport and Paulsgrove were closed because high winds posed a risk to staff and visitors.

A flood warning means that flooding is expected so you should act now. The Environment Agency suggests:

• Move your loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place.

• Move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building.

• Turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it's safe.

• Put flood protection equipment in place.

• Do as the emergency services tell you and help others if it's safe to do so.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the south coast including Dorset, The Isle of Wight and Hampshire in place until 21:00 BST.

An amber weather warning for strong winds is in place for Cornwall and parts of Devon.