Storm Eleanor: what you need to know

Storm Eleanor lashed the UK with violent winds of up to 100mph last night, leaving thousands of homes without power and hitting transport links.

Forecasters expect the winds to ease as the day progresses, but about 3,000 homes across Northern Ireland were still without power this morning, reports the BBC, along with a further 3,000 households in England, and about 300 in Wales.

Roads

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Overturned vehicles forced closures on the A1M, M6 and M5, and fallen trees blocked roads including the M25, says The Daily Telegraph. A lorry driver escaped without serious injury after his vehicle was blown off the M6 in Cumbria, the Daily Mail says.

Rail

Rail services were reduced between London Paddington and Hayes, while power outages meant no trains were running between Letchworth Garden City and Cambridge.

Ferries

Sailings to two popular Scottish islands in the Southern Hebrides have been suspended, ferry operator CalMac says. Services to Islay, and services connecting Iona with Fionnphort, on Mull, were delayed, according to The Guardian. All of the 25 other services were still operating this morning.

Flood and weather warnings

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has flood warnings in place for more than a dozen coastal communities. The Met Office warned of felled trees, flying debris and high tides. The Daily Mail says flood warnings will remain across Britain until 6pm tonight.