Storm Eunice: More than 100,000 South East homes without power

More than 100,000 homes have been left without electricity in the South East in the wake of Storm Eunice.

The Met Office issued a red warning for wind - the highest level - to cover the South East until 15:00 GMT, which was replaced with an amber warning.

Ferries between Dover and Calais were suspended, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and Medway Bridge remain closed. Rail services have also been affected.

The Grain Power Station was taken offline after a chimney collapsed.

UK Power Networks said more than 40,000 homes had no electricity in East and West Sussex and Surrey, with about 72,000 properties in Kent also without power.

Southeastern earlier closed all its train routes in Kent, but says some routes may reopen on Friday evening. More than 1,000 of the operator's train services were cancelled on Friday.

A spokesman for the rail operator said: "It's likely that the network may need to be closed earlier than usual tonight, so Southeastern is asking that passengers make their essential journeys as soon as possible."

Hastings Borough Council said most of the town was without power.

The Grain Power Station in Kent has been taken offline, Uniper UK said, after it appeared one of its chimneys collapsed during Storm Eunice.

The company tweeted: "A weather-related incident has occurred at Grain power station, during storm Eunice.

"We can confirm that there are no casualties and there is no risk to the local community.

"However, it has caused some damage on site and the power station has been temporarily taken offline as a precaution."

The Port of Dover was closed to all shipping earlier, but has now reopened, and some ferry services have resumed.

A spokesman said: "The Port and ferry operators will now continue to work together to ensure that services are running with minimal disruption."

Passengers are advised to check with their ferry operator before travelling.

Meanwhile, transport officials have issued warnings over "dangerous" driving conditions.

Kent County Council's senior highways manager Toby Howe said: "Gusts could peak at over 80mph, making it likely to be the most powerful weather systems we have seen in Kent for many years.

"Driving conditions across the county will likely be dangerous at times, especially for high-sided vehicles. Some bridges will shut and roads and rail lines could be blocked by fallen trees and debris.

"I urge everyone to take sensible precautions to keep safe."

National Highways said the QEII Bridge has been closed due to the strong winds.

The bridge is part of the Dartford Crossing, linking the M25 at Dartford in Kent and Tilbury in Essex.

The M2 has been closed coastbound between junction two for Cuxton and junction three for Chatham after a lorry overturned.

Warnings were also issued that high-sided vehicles, along with caravans and motorcycles, could be blown over on several roads in the region.

The roads include the M27 between junctions eight and nine (Hedge End to Locks Heath), the A27 Shoreham Flyover near to Hove and Brighton, the A2 Jubilee Way near to Dover, the M2 between junctions two and three, and the A249 at Kings Ferry and Sheppey Crossing.

Edmund King, AA president, warned: "Being cocooned in your car can lead to a false sense of security and safety. Some of the roads may look safe now but the impending storm can bring carnage."

There is also disruption to flights at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex.

By Charlie Rose, reporter, BBC South East, Gatwick Airport

This morning it looked like business as usual but the wind has really picked up.

It makes a pilot's job much harder. My camera operator witnessed a Ryanair flight trying to land before the attempt was aborted. Another flight from Bordeaux operated by EasyJet had the same problem and returned to France.

There have now been several cancellations and many delays to flights. On the ground the inter-terminal rail shuttle has been cancelled.

People are turning up expecting to catch their flight but the advice is to check with the airline before heading to the airport.

An EasyJet spokesman said: "The significant majority of our scheduled UK flying programme is still planned to operate today and of course we continue to monitor the forecast closely."

Stagecoach said it has suspended all its bus services in Kent and East Sussex, until "at least 16:00", and then expects to reintroduce limited services on some routes using single-deck buses, "subject to conditions improving".

Train services have been disrupted with trees blocking lines between Ewell West and Epsom, and Farnham and Aldershot meaning the line towards London is blocked.

Emergency services have called on people not to travel if they can.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said on Twitter: "Please stay at home where possible and if you do have to go out, avoid going near buildings/trees/fences."

All Covid testing sites have been closed due to the storm in East Sussex and Medway.

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