Yellow warning for wind and rain by the Met Office remains in place along the south coast
Amber severe weather warning lifted across the region
Storm Ciarán was declared a major incident in Hampshire, with schools advised to close on Thursday
'Mini tornado' sweeps through Dorset village damaging properties
Wind gusts of 70mph recorded at The Needles, with 90mph possible in exposed locations
Portland flood alert sirens sound as residents prepare for flooding
Thank you for following our coverage of Storm Ciarán today.
You can view some of the most striking images from the day along the south coast and the rest of the country here.
Met Office weather warnings remain in place heading into the weekend so follow the latest weather forecasts and news coverage.
Eamonn Keogh said the council followed the best advice available
Southampton City Council said it stands by its decision to close schools ahead of Storm Ciarán.
The local authority issued advice on Wednesday that schools should close "in order to ensure the safety of staff, pupils and parents".
In the event, the worst of the storm missed the city.
The council's cabinet member for the environment and transport Eamonn Keogh said they had been following the best advice available at the time.
"We can only go on the data we've been given," he said.
"As of yesterday, when the advice was given to schools, the expectation was that on that morning the winds would have been at their highest."
Paul Clifton
Transport correspondent, BBC South Today
The disruption to transport from Storm Ciarán was less widespread than feared, but it was still a challenging day for anyone travelling by rail.
There are still many train cancellations and delays this evening. Worst affected have been GWR services between Southampton and Salisbury due to flooding on the line at Dean - the line has only just re-opened.
Network Rail tells me most widespread problems have been caused by leaves blown onto the tracks making them treacherously slippy.
As a result, SWR has a reduced speed restriction which has shredded timetables.
As Storm Ciarán moves away, the Met Office has issued another warning for bad weather across the south of England on Saturday.
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Image source, RNLISwanage all-weather lifeboat on a call in rough conditions
The RNLI is reminding people to be safe near the water.
A statement from the rescue charity said strong winds and heavy rain would continue to pose a safety risk this evening.
It is encouraging people to "exercise extreme caution" if visiting the shoreline, especially along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.
Water safety manager Ross Macleod said: "While people may want to experience extreme weather around the coast, we would strongly advise against doing so.
"It is not worth risking your life, so we urge people to respect the water and watch from a safe distance."
He reminded people to call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency.
Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC weather presenter
The storm has eased but some of the hazards remain and there are still flood warnings in force.
The strongest wind gust last hour was 55mph on the isle of Portland with 35-45mph gusts for other southern coasts, so still fairly blustery out there.
We’ll still see further showers and longer spells of rain this evening as the centre of low pressure pulls into the North Sea overnight.
Tomorrow the focus of the strongest winds will be for north east England and eastern Scotland, with more rain falling on saturated ground.
While there will be further showers, for most of us, tomorrow will feel a lot calmer - a brief respite before the next low pushes into southern England and Wales overnight.
Emergency workers rescue residents from static caravans at a flooded holiday park.
Read MoreStorm Ciarán has caused serious rail disruption across many parts of the UK, particularly parts of southern England.
South Western Railway says train services across the whole network may be cancelled, delayed or revised - with disruptions expected until the end of the day.
Several train operating companies are currently affected, including:
You can find the latest information relevant to your specific travel plans by consulting your rail company's individual website.
Julie Lewins said she had a "lucky escape"
Julie Lewins, a resident at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, said she woke at 06:30 GMT to see the "biggest surge" of water coming over the seawall in her three years living in the park.
She said at high tide around 08:00, the six caravans in the corner of the park had all been badly damaged by another surge.
Ms Lewins said it's believed those caravans are hire caravans from the site so nobody was inside at the time.
Image source, Getty ImagesFreshwater Holiday Park residents had to be rescued by emergency services this morning
She had been walking her dog higher up the cliff in a bid to avoid the impact of the water, but said a big surge of water came up to her thighs while she was out.
She added: "It could have swept the dog out to sea, luckily he was on the lead.
"One caravan is nearly in half, it's bad. The surge that got us was very powerful and luckily we got to the back wall, I had to empty my wellies out."
Image source, Julie LewinsJulie Lewins captured these images of the caravans hit by a water surge this morning
As the impact of Storm Ciarán continues to be felt across much of the UK and Channel Islands, here's what you can expect over the next few hours:
Alex Smith
Live reporter
Image source, EPAAsylum seekers housed on the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge have not been evacuated from the vessel, despite the stormy conditions, the Home Office has told the BBC
The barge - which can accommodate around 500 people - has been moored at Portland Port on the south coast since July. Wind gust speeds there have topped 70mph, according to the Met Office.
"Some people on board are getting quite seasick," Heather Jones from the Stand Up to Racism group told the Guardian.
"They have told me they got absolutely no sleep last night and the boat was shaking so much, it was pretty scary."
A Home Office spokesperson has told the BBC the "welfare of the people accommodated at Portland is of the utmost priority", and it has ensured the safety of those on board.
They added that the barge "is in a sheltered port, protected by a large breakwater and moored securely alongside a permanent jetty which means the vessel is well secured".
Hamworthy Park in Poole has been flooded during the storm.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said its seafront team is aware of the damage caused around the beach huts.
Image source, Julie LewinsA woman has captured the moment flood-water reached a holiday park in Dorset.
Julie Lewins took these photos at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park in Burton Bradstock, Dorset, this morning.
Image source, Julie LewinsShe told the BBC: "The devastation all happened within one-and-a-half hours around high tide this morning."
People have been rescued from the park by emergency services.
Image source, Julie Lewins
Image source, Julie LewinsBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has released an update on the issues caused by Storm Ciarán.
The authority confirmed Hamworthy Park is experiencing flooding around the beach huts and multiple roads are blocked in Christchurch.
It said the seafront team was aware and working on the ground to set up diversions and no-one had been injured.
Elsewhere, Canford Heath Library is closed due to storm damage, as well as Queens Park Golf Club.
The council has also been working with homeless charity St Mungo's and Community Safety Accredited Scheme (CSAS) officers to place 24 people in accommodation overnight.
Image source, Getty ImagesElsewhere in Dorset, waves crash on to the beach and cliffs in West Bay
Image source, Getty ImagesCouncil workers walk past damage and debris in West Bay
Image source, Getty ImagesA person and their dog watch the waves in West Bay
SWR's social media accounts claim the train operator expects services across its network to return to normal by 20:00 GMT.
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Storm Ciarán is no longer a major incident, Hampshire Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum has confirmed.
The multi-agency team has downgraded its response across the region.
In a statement, it said whilst the Met Office continues to have yellow warnings for rain and wind in the coming days, it has "thankfully not encountered the extent of the weather forecast which has been seen in other regions".
It confirmed local authorities, emergency services and partner agencies would continue to support residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Image source, Getty ImagesPeople are being rescued from their holiday chalets at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park in Dorset.
Emergency services have been called to the park in Burton Bradstock after severe flooding caused by Storm Ciarán.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Dan Sands PhotographyDan Sands has braved Storm Ciarán this morning to capture the impact in Portland, Dorset.
Image source, Dan Sands PhotographyIn a post on social media, external, the photographer said: "My first batch of photos from this morning's walk. Possibly more to come. Stay safe out there."
Image source, Dan Sands PhotographySouthampton City Council confirmed the hubs in Cutbush, Blackberry, Clovelly, The Ashby Centre and Pickles Coppice have been shut this afternoon due to the weather., external
The authority said it was to "ensure both the safety of the families who access the hubs and our staff".
In a statement, the council added: "Please take every care to keep safe during this storm. We hope to reopen hubs for sessions when it is safe to do so."