Kent, Sussex and Surrey battered by Storm Ciarán
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Listen live to your BBC local radio station: BBC Radio Kent, BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey. Latest BBC Weather forecast
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Bob Dale, Stuart Maisner, Tom Pugh, Nick Tarver and Hamish Mureddu-Reid
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Port of Dover reopens to shipping - but delays still expected
Earlier this morning, the Port of Dover said it was suspending all sailings due to the stormy weather.
However, it has now confirmed the port is reopening for shipping vessels, adding there might be delays over the next few hours due to traffic clearing.
Passengers should "check with their chosen ferry operator for updates throughout the day", it added in a post on social media.
Ferry firm P&O has cancelled all sailings from Dover to Calais today and said previously that tourist traffic was being sent away from the port.
A busy night for fire and rescue services
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service reported 37 incidents overnight, but only seven related to the storm.
It also had three calls about fallen trees.
A spokesman said: "We have well-rehearsed and exercised plans in place which are now being put in action and we are also working with our partners to ensure public safety remains a priority.
"Additionally, we have been providing advice to members of the public, and measures are in place to provide emergency cover as the storm hits."
Trees uprooted during Storm Ciarán
Joseph Crome has sent us this picture of a tree that has been uprooted in St Augustine's Road, Ramsgate, during Storm Ciarán.
He said the winds seemed to be at their strongest between 06.00 and 08.00 GMT but have started to ease off slightly over the past few hours.
Listen: Rising water levels in Surrey
Adrian Harms
BBC Radio Surrey
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Southeastern reporting severe disruption
Southeastern is reporting "severe disruption" to its train services and advising passengers not to travel on mainline routes.
The line is blocked between Ramsgate and Margate and a tree is on the tracks at Walmer.
Surrey Police expects to be 'very busy' for days
Surrey Police has said it anticipates being very busy for the next few days in the wake of Storm Ciarán.
In a statement on social media it asked the public to:
Hove: Wind really picking up
Juliette Parkin
BBC South East Today, Hove
The wind is really picking up now on Hove seafront, the tide is coming in and the waves are getting much bigger.
A few walkers and onlookers are out taking pictures.
But it's a very stormy picture here on the Sussex coast.
Listen: River Wey 'closely monitored'
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Boats being moved ahead of high tide
Hanna Neter
BBC Radio Sussex, Eastbourne
Small boats are being moved to safety on Sussex beaches ahead of the high tide due at about 13:30 GMT.
Colin Mason, Eastbourne Angling Association boat steward, said: "We’re losing a lot of beach at the moment.
"If we lose anymore it’s going to be a serious worry.”
He also said no-one is out on boats today: “Absolutely not. No chance. It’s too rough.”
What has happened so far?
If you're just joining us, let us run you through some of the main developments as Storm Ciarán winds its path across the South East.
The Port of Dover suspended all sailings, with long queues of freight forming on the A20, but is reopening to shipping vessels
Hundreds of properties have been affected by power cuts.
Rail travellers have faced widespread disruption, as operators ensure lines are clear of debris.
Flood warnings are still in place across the region.
Some schools have been closed for the day, including nearly 40 in East Sussex.
Several attractions have been forced to close for the day, including Deal Pier and Drusillas Zoo Park.
Fire crews have been out clearing fallen trees from roads.
Stay with us as we bring you the latest throughout the afternoon
Bus has window shattered
A bus has been pictured on a hill in Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone, Kent, after the front top floor window was blown out, as Storm Ciarán brings high winds and heavy rain across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
The Environment Agency has issued 54 warnings across the UK where flooding is expected, and an amber weather warning is in place with winds expected to reach 70mph to 80mph.
Man in shock after near miss as tree pierces roof
Aaron Waterer was left shaken after a very near miss in his motorhome last night in Broadstairs, Kent.
A large tree branch ripped off in the strong winds pierced through his motorhome roof - finishing just above his mattress.
By a stroke of luck, Aaron, 47, was out of bed getting a drink of water at the time.
"I woke up probably around 2am. I fancied a drink of water so jumped out the bed and just as my feet hit the floor there's this crack. This branch landed straight through the roof where I was asleep.
“I got outside, phoned the landlord at the pub who I know, and luckily he was awake. He let me in, my nerves were all shot.
“I just didn’t know what to do, it was just shock. I still don’t think it has sunk in that much, it's just bizarre."
Long queues at Dover as sailings cancelled
Police in the Port of Dover have asked people to stay away from coastal areas.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) they said: "For your own safety and that of first responders, avoid our beaches, piers and promenade during this time."
A long queue of freight lorries has formed on the A20, as the port announces it is suspending all sailings.
Anyone who had been planning to travel today is being advised to check with their operator before setting out.
Farmland flooded near Tonbridge
Andy Garland
BBC Radio Kent
Farmland has been flooded after heavy rain this morning between Tudeley and Hartlake bridge near Tonbridge.
Although the weather is improving slightly this morning in west Kent, the heavy rain has left its mark on this farm.
Windiest spot is near Dover right now
Matt Taylor
BBC Weather
At 9am the windiest conditions were at Langdon Bay, just to the east of Dover, with gusts to 78mph.
Winds in the Channel Islands are now starting to moderate, but are still gusting to 75mph in Jersey.
Beloved tree topples in high winds
Lucinda Adam
BBC South East Today reporter
Bella Hingamp from Billingshurst, West Sussex, has lost her favourite tree in her garden. She said: "It was a cherry - it had been poorly but we thought we might get a few more years. "I’m told cherries usually live much less than 100 years, and our tree surgeon reckoned it was older, so it had a good innings" "But now I have a big gap in my garden."
Matt Davison reports from Gravesend
Matt Davison
BBC Radio Kent
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Storm Ciarán still lashing Surrey
The River Wey in Tilford, Surrey, is running high.
At the scene, BBC Radio Surrey's Adrian Harms says conditions are wetter and windier than they have been all morning.
Listen: 'Wind like I've not seen in years'
Michael Keohan
BBC Radio Kent political reporter
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A busy morning for fire crews
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended four incidents as a result of Storm Ciarán.
They included unsecure structures in Liden Crescent and Bonsor Road, Folkestone, and a report of sparking cables in Rusham Road in Shatterling, Canterbury.
A rescue unit also removed a tree blocking Kennington Road, in Willesborough, Ashford.