Kent, Sussex and Surrey hit by power cuts as Storm Isha bites

Summary

Our live coverage of Storm Isha's impact on the South East has ended on Monday 22 January

Live Reporting

Edited by Tom Pugh and Jacob Panons

Thanks for joining uspublished at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Sussex Taff/BBC Weather Watcher
Our live coverage of Storm Isha's impact on the South East has now finished.
We will leave you with this picture of a bird in flight posted this morning by BBC Weather Watcher Sussex Taff at Rye Harbour - thanks for joining us.
For continued coverage of the wider impact of the storm on the UK, go here.
Listen: Sevenoaks route blocked by Storm Ishapublished at 10:28 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
BBC Radio Kent
Media caption,
Phil Harrison is on the A225 where a tree is down.
In pictures: The calm after the stormpublished at 10:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Weather watchers from the South East have been sending in their pictures in the aftermath of Storm Isha.
If you have any pictures of the storm please submit them to us via our BBC Weather Watchers page.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/BeachStrollerRoly
Image caption,
Hove
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Glynis
Image caption,
Goring
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Dominique
Image caption,
Crawley
Listen: Worthing and the morning after Storm Ishapublished at 09:51 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Media caption,
Isha gave the south coast quite a battering.
Trains suspended again between Redhill and Tonbridgepublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Trains between Redhill and Tonbridge have again been suspended.
Earlier, Southern said no trains could run between the two stations because of "multiple" trees on the line, but at 08:22 GMT it said they had been removed and services were "on the move".
Rail replacement buses have been requested.
Watch: Weather for the week aheadpublished at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
After Storm Isha moves through can we expect any drier, more settled conditions? Chris Fawkes has the long-range forecast.
Media caption,
Weather for the Week Ahead
West Sussex and Surrey bus disruptionspublished at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Metrobus said its MB270 and MB291 services are unable to operate in the Ashurst Wood area because of a fallen tree.
Fallen trees have also led to Metrobus being unable to serve Smallfields and Burstow.
Its MB324, MB422 and MB424 buses will be diverting between Copthorne and Horley.
If you can't avoid the roads: some tips for safer drivingpublished at 08:59 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Drivers have been warned to stay safe on the roads amid strong gusts.
Here some tips for driving in high winds:
- Stick to main roads if possible, meaning you're less likely to be exposed to fallen debris
- Grip your steering wheel tightly with both hands
- Keep enough room either side of your vehicle so you can factor in it being blown sideways
- Be aware of gaps between trees, buildings or bridges where you are more likely to be exposed to side winds
Power cuts hit about 2,000 in the South Eastpublished at 08:43 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
Widespread power cuts have hit properties across the South East in the wake of Storm Isha.
UK Power Networks estimates about 2,000 customers have been impacted in the region.
Some of the areas affected include Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Medway, Redhill, Steyning, Guildford and Dartford.
Some areas are expected to have to wait until 14:30-15:30 GMT until their power is restored.
BBC Radio Surrey reports about 900 properties are without power in the county this morning, many in rural areas near Dorking.
Areas without electricity, as of 08:30, include 327 at Brockham and Betchworth, 175 west of Dorking, 271 at Capel, 170 near Wrecclesham, 76 around Lingfield, 63 in Ewhurst and 62 near Elstead.
A225 at Riverhill blocked by fallen treepublished at 08:24 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, BBC/Phil Harrison
Image caption,
Buses had been stuck on the road
The A225 at Riverhill has been blocked by a fallen tree in both directions between the A21 turn and Sevenoaks.
The AA said the incident was reported to them at 05:23 GMT this morning.
Trampoline and greenhouse disrupt rail servicespublished at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, SE Railway
A trampoline blew on to railway tracks at Rainham as Storm Isha swept in overnight.
Southeastern Railway managing director Steve White quipped, external "it wouldn't be a storm without a trampoline".
He said at least 15 trees were uprooted and dumped on the rail operator's network - as well as a greenhouse.
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Flights diverted due to strong windspublished at 08:02 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
A total of 22 flights were diverted yesterday due to the weather, Gatwick Airport said this morning.
In addition, Gatwick accepted five flights diverted from other UK airports as Storm Isha swept in.
A spokesperson for the West Sussex said the majority of flights were back to normal this morning but passengers were advised to check with their airline before travelling.
Strong overnight winds set to weakenpublished at 07:48 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image caption,
There will be highs of 11C today
BBC weather presenter Katerina Christodoulou said the South East's very strong overnight winds were expected to weaken later.
It will still be "blustery" today, with gusts of between 40-50mph, she said.
There will be decent sunny spells for the rest of the day around a scattering of showers, with the odd heavy burst.
In the evening, there will still be some showers but they will be quick to clear.
In pictures: Storm Isha caught by BBC Weather Watcherspublished at 07:32 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
BBC Weather Watchers across the South East have been submitting their dramatic pictures of Storm Isha sweeping in.
Image source, Storm Chaser Liam
Image caption,
Loose, Kent
Image source, Peter and Leah
Image caption,
Hastings
Image source, Ben Sussex
Image caption,
West Pier in Brighton
Newhaven-Dieppe ferry operating to schedulepublished at 07:23 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
The ferry service between Newhaven and Dieppe is "operating to the advertised schedule", DFDS said., external
Passengers are being advised to arrive at the East Sussex port no later than 45 minutes before their departure.
Meanwhile, some cross-Channel ferry services from Dover were operating but with delays due to the strong winds.
Train speed restriction liftedpublished at 07:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
All Southeastern routes are open, but there are still disruptions
A blanket 50mph speed restriction for Southeastern trains has now been lifted.
Network Rail Kent and Sussex said: "A number of trees and debris (including a trampoline) have blown onto the track, and we’ve been working through the night to get lines clear."
The trampoline blocking the line between Sittingbourne and Faversham has since been cleared.
A Southeastern spokesperson said all routes were now open.
Image source, X
Gatwick flight aborted twice - passengerpublished at 06:59 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The passenger praised the pilot and crew.
An easyJet flight between Gatwick Airport and Munich was aborted twice before landing in Birmingham, a passenger said.
In the early hours of this morning @frank_meehan on X said: "Never has a plane of 200 people been so happy to see Birmingham."
He added: "I’ve never seen winds like that. Pilot and crew so amazing."
'Please delay travelling' - Southernpublished at 06:53 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Met Office's yellow wind warning is expected to be in place until midday
Southern Rail has urged customers to delay travelling on its services until later today.
A company spokesperson said services were expected to be "significantly disrupted this morning due to high winds and weather conditions".
Customers have been told they may not be able to use their normal travel route and services could be delayed.
Power cuts reported in South Eastpublished at 06:43 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Met Office has said power cuts may occur
About 30 areas in Kent have reported power cuts, BBC Radio Kent is reporting this morning.
They have also reported flood alerts in east Kent as river levels remain high on the Little Stour and Nailbourne.
Motorists are being warned of trees on the road in Riverhill in Sevenoaks and Biddenden Road in Waterman Quarter, near Headcorn Aerodrome.
Some Southeastern train services have been cancelled, and there are delays on cross-channel ferries.
Morning commuters face rail delayspublished at 06:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January
Phil Harrison
BBC Radio Kent at Tonbridge Station
At Tonbridge station delays are being reported on the Hastings line up to Cannon Street and Charing Cross due to trains running slow because of earlier 50mph speed limit restrictions imposed as a result of Storm Isha.