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Southern areas face storm havoc South of England storm dying down
(about 3 hours later)
Severe gales are hitting southern parts of England as a winter storm unleashes winds of up to 70mph. Severe gales with gusts of over 70mph which struck the south coast of England have subsided, say coastguards.
So far, the storm has brought down trees and caused flooding and power outages in Devon. A spokesman for Solent coastguard said: "For a short period the wind went up to about 73mph but now it is down to around 20mph."
A father and his nine-year-old son who were swept away in a rain-swollen Devon river have been rescued. The storm, which felled trees, and caused flooding and power cuts in Devon, peaked at around 4pm GMT.
A father and his nine-year-old son who were swept away by a rain-swollen Devon river were rescued by firemen.
Meanwhile, a St John Ambulance Crew in Surrey had a lucky escape after strong winds blew a poplar tree on top of their vehicle.Meanwhile, a St John Ambulance Crew in Surrey had a lucky escape after strong winds blew a poplar tree on top of their vehicle.
The storm is currently buffeting the Isle of Wight and is expected to track from west to east carrying heavy rain up the Kentish coastline. The tree badly damaged the roof and back doors of the vehicle but the four people inside were unhurt.
Solent Coastguard said it expected commercial ships to request shelter in the area around the Isle of Wight. Ray Pennock, who was treating his son-in-law's sprained ankle at Esher Rugby Club when the ambulance was struck, said: "You've never seen four St John people get out of an ambulance so quickly in your life."
Veronica Taylor, watch officer at the coastguard, said the forecast for the south coast was severe gale force nine, rising to storm force 10. 'Incredibly well forecast'
Life and limb A spokeswoman for Solent Coastguard told the BBC website earlier that conditions were perilous for leisure boats.
"That's the kind of wind that can uproot trees and cause damage to buildings; that's what we're talking about," she said. Veronica Taylor, watch officer at the coastguard, said: "Anybody who goes out on a boat who doesn't know what they are doing is risking life and limb, if you do it in these conditions it is significantly more dangerous."
Ms Taylor said she expected leisure boats to remain ashore. But Solent Coastguard now say that there were "no problems at sea" despite the bad conditions.
"Anybody who goes out on a boat who doesn't know what they are doing is risking life and limb, if you do it in these conditions it is significantly more dangerous," she said. "The severity of the weather was incredibly well forecast", Miss Taylor said.
During Saturday night the Isles of Scilly were struck by 70mph winds and waves of more than 40ft (12m) were recorded off the Atlantic coast. "We always encourage people to take notice of the weather conditions - and that's exactly what they have done," she added.
The English Channel saw waves of 25ft (7.6m) from strong winds blowing from the Atlantic. An air and sea search was started this morning after a woman was reported missing from an Isle of Wight ferry during the bad weather.
However the search was called off and police are investigating the possibility she may have left the boat by car.
SurfSurf
During Saturday night, the Isles of Scilly were struck by 70mph winds and waves of more than 40ft (12m) were recorded off the Atlantic coast.
The English Channel saw waves of 25ft (7.6m) from strong winds blowing from the Atlantic.
But some surfers have capitalised on the conditions, defying warnings to ride what are thought to be the biggest waves recorded off the west coast of Ireland.But some surfers have capitalised on the conditions, defying warnings to ride what are thought to be the biggest waves recorded off the west coast of Ireland.
Waves estimated at 55ft (16.7m) high bore down on the coast at Mullagmore Head in Donegal Bay on Saturday.Waves estimated at 55ft (16.7m) high bore down on the coast at Mullagmore Head in Donegal Bay on Saturday.
Are you in the path of the storm? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the path of the storm? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.
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