Storm Aileen Blasts Britain With 75mph Winds (Photos)

Commuters battle 83mph winds today as Storm Aileen lashes Britain after thousands woke with no power to face fallen trees and transport chaos.....
Commuters are being warned to brace for rush hour chaos and thousands have been left without power as Storm Aileen batters the UK.

The first named storm of the year lashed the country overnight bringing gale force winds of up to 83mph, flying debris and overflowing rivers leading to dozens of flood alerts.

Weather forecasters have advised battening down the hatches as rainstorms tear across Britain today with one council even advising people not go out unless absolutely necessary.

Drivers are being warned to avoid some 53 exposed sections of road this morning, with falling trees and overturned lorries and caravans closing several major motorways.

Peak winds of 83mph were recorded at The Needles on the Isle of Wight, while Mumbles in Wales recorded a top speed of 74mph.

While people across America and the Caribbean are suffering the devastating blow of Hurricane Irma, the Met Office says Storm Aileen bears no connection, with the UK's weather system originating north in the Atlantic, independent of the current hurricanes across the ocean.

Meanwhile, power companies are reporting power cuts overnight, affecting huge swathes of the country.

Northern Powergrid - which covers the North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire - said 7,400 homes had lost power overnight, while it is still working to restore power to 800 customers.

Electricty North West said 1,067 homes had been affected and 256 houses in Buxton, Macclesfield and Leigh are still without power.

Highways England has urged drivers to take extra care on their journeys to work, warning that people should delay travelling if the weather becomes too severe.

Those driving caravans, lorries and motorbikes are at risk of the vehicles being blown over.

Police forces in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Gloucestershire have all reported trees being blown over by the winds overnight.

The Met Office issued an amber severe weather warning for gusts of 55-65mph in parts of Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency has issued some 16 separate flood alerts as rivers are expected to burst their banks from the heavy rainfall.

Flood warnings are in place for for Keswick, Lancashire and Porlock Weir in Somerset.