LONDON -- High winds and heavy rain lashed parts of southern Britain overnight Sunday and into Monday as Storm Imogen made its way eastwards across the country.
Gusts of 96 miles per hour were recorded at The Needles off the Isle of Wight and the Met Office issued several yellow and amber warnings for wind while the Environment Agency put 60 flood warnings in place.
Imogen comes hot on the heels of several other storms during the winter in the UK, including Storm Gertrude at the end of January and Storm Frank in late December.
Over 5,000 homes in southwest England, south Wales and the Midlands were left without power and there was disruption on road and rail services across the region. The Met Office issued gale warnings for most of the sea areas around the UK and some cross-Channel ferries were cancelled.
Amber and Yellow severe weather warnings for #wind have been updated: https://t.co/TGYhthoSYj Stay #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/P3SADxuQbV— Met Office (@metoffice) February 8, 2016
"People should be prepared for disruption to travel on roads, rail, bridges and ferries and we could see possible damage to structures and downed trees risk affecting power," Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said.
"The wind will be combined with some hefty showers with some thunder along the south coast."
It was a windy night for many, here are some of the strongest gusts so far pic.twitter.com/xyULMktdJt— Met Office (@metoffice) February 8, 2016
So far #StormImogen has brought a max gust of 96mph to Needles Old Battery. Warnings are still in force https://t.co/BEQkezhE3z— Met Office (@metoffice) February 8, 2016
The high winds brought with them tumultuous seas, with waves as high as 14 metres off the south west coast of the country.
Strong winds will bring very large waves out at sea today #StormImogen pic.twitter.com/sqcXanOsM0— Met Office (@metoffice) February 8, 2016
Big waves off Cornwal this morning #StormImogen. Observation nicely matching forecast. Follow at @CefasGovUK Wavenet pic.twitter.com/zvSVwRylLK— Koen Vanstaen (@KVS1979) February 8, 2016
There are also 60 flood warnings in place across the UK, particularly in the Midlands, south Wales and southwest England.
Trees have been toppled in several places and the Forestry Commission has said it's closed several forests due to the high winds.
Tree down on Old Ide Lane crushes a car and damages house. "Absolutely terrifying" says owner. pic.twitter.com/flofLAi83P— Andrea Ormsby (@AndreaOrmsby) February 8, 2016
Winds are expected to gradually ease later in the afternoon and into the evening Monday.