Thousands in southwest feel early impact

Thousands of homes across England, Ireland, and Wales are without power as Storm Eunice arrives amid severe weather warnings.

Around 15,000 properties are dealing with power outages across Devon and Cornwall while more than 1,000 have also been disconnected in Wales. In Ireland more than 50,000 homes are without power.

In preparation for Eunice, which could become one of the most intense systems to hit the country in 30 years, numerous major roads have been closed including one of the Severn Crossings.

The majority of Welsh and Irish schools are closed today while many in the southwest of England are also shut as a safety precaution.

There are currently 146 flood notices in effect. This includes 10 severe flood warnings indicating a danger to life which are mainly located along the River Severn.

Most of the remaining warnings and alerts are located along western and southwest England, you can find a map of current warnings on the government website.

Current gusts appear to be peaking at 92 mph which has been recorded at The Needles on the Isle of Wight this morning. Gusts of 87 mph have been recored in Swansea, south Wales.

Danger to life warnings are in effect for London and the southeast of England for the first time since the warning system was adopted. More moderate warnings for snow cover much of northern England and Scotland.

Official advice is asking people to avoid non-essential travel, which is especially pertinent for those in the southwest.