Storm Imogen lashing parts of England, Wales

SOUTH East Cornwall is taking a battering from Storm Imogen, with ferocious gales and heavy rain making conditions hazardous.

An amber weather warning, which means people should be prepared, has been issued for the South West.

Rail travellers have been warned to expect disruption to journeys and urged to check before they travel, especially on coastal routes, with many services potentially delayed, altered or cancelled.

“Gusts of 60-70mph are likely quite widely”.

Nearly 5,000 homes in the South West, Midlands and Wales have been left without power due to high winds.

A spokeswoman for Western Power Distribution said: “Considering we have more than one million customers this is not a very high number but it is more than we would like”.

The M48 Severn Bridge has been closed in both directions to high-sided vehicles because of high winds, although the M4 Second Severn Crossing remains open.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews from Bodmin have been requested by Network Rail to help with assisting 49 passengers from a train which struck a fir tree”.

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Extreme weather conditions late on Sunday forced the port to close for around two hours into Monday, disrupting services.

Travellers in southern Wales were warned of disruption throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

Commuters in Dublin experienced delays on Monday morning on the inbound service of the Luas Green Line from Dundrum to St Stephen’s Green due to an incident. “Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline”.

Devon and Cornwall police said: “In land searches will continue today and further coastguard searches will take place later”. We are searching the area to locate him but have not yet found him.

The spokesman added that inquiries were under way to try and establish how the man entered the water.

Trees have been toppled in several places and the Forestry Commission has said it’s closed several forests due to the high winds.

Scotland is expected to escape the worst of the weather, with winds of up to just 40mph.

Strong winds with gusts of 130 km battered much of the county through the night.

“The heaviest and most frequent downpours will be across the West, where hail and thunder are also likely”.