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Gales and fallen trees causing disruption in South East Gales and fallen trees cause disruption in South East
(about 1 hour later)
Severe gale force winds, heavy rain and fallen trees are causing disruption across the south east of England. Severe gale force winds, heavy rain and fallen trees have caused disruption across the south east of England.
Dozens of roads have been closed in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including the QE2 Bridge at Dartford and Sheppey Bridge Crossing, in gusts up to 70mph. Roads were closed in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, amid gusts of up to 70mph. The QE2 bridge at the Dartford Crossing reopened at about 10.30 GMT.
A teenage girl was killed when a tree fell on to a mobile home in Kent.A teenage girl was killed when a tree fell on to a mobile home in Kent.
Dungeness B automatically shut down both reactors after power to the site was cut off. EDF Energy said it was safe and its own generators were on.Dungeness B automatically shut down both reactors after power to the site was cut off. EDF Energy said it was safe and its own generators were on.
A taxi driver had a lucky escape when a tree fell on his car in Eastbourne but he managed to climb out unhurt. Firefighters were called to help paramedics reach a motorcyclist who was hit by a falling tree in Four Elms Road, in Edenbridge, Kent. He was taken to hospital by ambulance.
The Port of Dover was shut about 07.15 GMT but reopened at 09:10 GMT. It said there may be delays to services. A taxi driver had a lucky escape when a tree fell on his car in Eastbourne, but he managed to climb out unhurt.
Gatwick Airport has warned passengers to expect delays. The Port of Dover was shut at about 07.15 GMT but reopened at 09:10 GMT. It said there may be delays to services.
Electricity distributor UK Power Networks has told BBC News that 40,000 properties between Brighton and Kent are without power. Supplies have also been affected in Surrey and West Sussex. The BBC's Peter Whittlesea, reporting from Dover, said: "Dover Coastguards said that wind speeds out in the Channel have been storm force 11, gusting up to 70mph.
The BBC's Peter Whittlesea, reporting from Dover, said: "Dover Coastguards has said today that wind speeds out in the Channel have been storm force eleven, gusting up to 70mph. Electricity distributor UK Power Networks told BBC News that 40,000 properties between Brighton and Kent were without power. Supplies have also been affected in Surrey and West Sussex.
Coastguards have called off the search for resume a search for a teenager swept away off an East Sussex beach. Coastguards have called off the search for a teenager swept away from an East Sussex beach.
Dylan Alkins, aged 14, had been swimming with friends off Newhaven's West Beach on Sunday afternoon when police said he was "swept away by the current". Dylan Alkins, 14, had been swimming with friends off Newhaven's West Beach on Sunday afternoon when police said he was "swept away by the current".
'Trees on line''Trees on line'
Southeastern, Gatwick Express and Southern trains were unable to start running services as hoped at 09:00 GMT because of trees on the lines.Southeastern, Gatwick Express and Southern trains were unable to start running services as hoped at 09:00 GMT because of trees on the lines.
Southeastern said: "There are branches and trees blown onto many of our railway lines. Southern railways said services on the Brighton Mainline resumed just after 10.15 GMT and urged passengers to check its website before travelling.
"Many routes don't have services at all yet. Southern tickets are being accepted on the Gatwick Express.
"Network Rail is working hard to clear trees and branches as quickly as possible and has cleared several trees already." Services on other routes will resume once the lines have been confirmed as clear.
Southern railways said it would update information at 10:00 GMT and urged passengers to check its website before travelling.
South West Trains said it would not run any trains until at least 11:00 BST. There were at least 30 trees down across its network.South West Trains said it would not run any trains until at least 11:00 BST. There were at least 30 trees down across its network.
Drivers have been warned that localised flooding could make driving conditions extremely dangerous. The Environment Agency has also issued a number of flood alerts along the coast.Drivers have been warned that localised flooding could make driving conditions extremely dangerous. The Environment Agency has also issued a number of flood alerts along the coast.
A police officer suffered minor injuries when a tree fell in front of his car in Mayfield Flat, Sussex. A man was taken hospital for treatment after a tree hit a car in Ospringe Road, Faversham, Kent.A police officer suffered minor injuries when a tree fell in front of his car in Mayfield Flat, Sussex. A man was taken hospital for treatment after a tree hit a car in Ospringe Road, Faversham, Kent.
Trees have fallen on the M2, between junction 6 and 7, the A249 Sittingbourne and the A28 at Bethersden in Kent.Trees have fallen on the M2, between junction 6 and 7, the A249 Sittingbourne and the A28 at Bethersden in Kent.
There was also disruption on the M3 slip road at junction 4, near Camberley, because of a fallen tree. Strong winds and rain have also made driving conditions on the M25 very difficult.There was also disruption on the M3 slip road at junction 4, near Camberley, because of a fallen tree. Strong winds and rain have also made driving conditions on the M25 very difficult.
The A25 in Brockham and Dorking and some roads in Weybridge and Epsom have also been shut.The A25 in Brockham and Dorking and some roads in Weybridge and Epsom have also been shut.
Insp Steve Grace, of Sussex Police, said surface water and trees were causing major problems in Sussex.Insp Steve Grace, of Sussex Police, said surface water and trees were causing major problems in Sussex.
"There are large expanses of water on the roads and you just don't always see them in the dark. Hit one even at moderate speed and you can find yourself completely out of control.""There are large expanses of water on the roads and you just don't always see them in the dark. Hit one even at moderate speed and you can find yourself completely out of control."
Surrey Police Ch Insp Paul Smith said the weather in the county had not been as bad as predicted and no-one had been hurt but there was extensive damage to trees, with many down across the county. Flights cancelled
Surrey Police Ch Insp Paul Smith said the weather in the county had not been as bad as predicted and no-one had been hurt, but there was extensive damage to trees, with many down across the county.
"It seems to be inconvenience and disruption to traffic as opposed to anybody hurt so in that sense it is good news," he said."It seems to be inconvenience and disruption to traffic as opposed to anybody hurt so in that sense it is good news," he said.
"We have got Surrey County Council and their partners working with us and our priority is to get the roads open as quickly as possible.""We have got Surrey County Council and their partners working with us and our priority is to get the roads open as quickly as possible."
Flights cancelled Gatwick Airport said: "We are currently operating a near-normal schedule this morning.
Gatwick Airport said: "We are currently operating a near normal schedule this morning.
"We do still advise you to check the status of your flight with your airline and allow plenty of time for your journey to the airport.""We do still advise you to check the status of your flight with your airline and allow plenty of time for your journey to the airport."
Four flights were cancelled and six were delayed earlier because of the weather.
The airport said train services would not be running to or from Gatwick until at least 10.00 GMT.
BBC South East weather presenter Georgina Burnett said: "There have been severe winds this morning, it's quite a gusty day in general with sunshine and showers later on.BBC South East weather presenter Georgina Burnett said: "There have been severe winds this morning, it's quite a gusty day in general with sunshine and showers later on.
"Really the worst of it is going to south east Kent, the Dover Straits in particularly, and we could have gusts in excess of 80mph.""Really the worst of it is going to south east Kent, the Dover Straits in particularly, and we could have gusts in excess of 80mph."