Disruption and flood warning as storm sweeps in

A stretch of the Dorset coast is under a flood warning as Storm Austen sweeps in.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued the warning for the coast in the Chiswell area with people urged to avoid seafronts and harbours due to wave overtopping and spray containing debris.

The area under the flood warning also covers Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road and the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road.

The A354 Portland Beach Road and the Causeway was closed after flooding and waves overtopped the road - it reopened shortly before 09:00 BST. Dorset Council said the road would remain open unless conditions deteriorate.

Elsewhere trains are being disrupted between Weymouth and Brockenhurst after three trees have fallen

The first came down on the line near Bournemouth. South Western Railway (SWR) said the tree had now been removed and damage to the track repaired with checks underway to reopen the line.

SWR said another tree had since fallen east of Bournemouth station, blocking all lines between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst.

Another tree has also come down near Holton Heath station, blocking the line from Wareham towards Bournemouth.

On the Isle of Wight the forecast severe weather expected through Friday has halted Island Line trains along Ryde Pier.

A minibus has been brought in to shuttle passengers back and forth from Ryde Esplanade to Ryde Pier Head to the Wightlink FastCat to and from Portsmouth.

Red Funnel's Southampton Town Quay to West Cowes Red Jet has also been halted - the vehicle ferry service is still running to timetable.

Wightlink has also cancelled a number of sailings across all three of its routes on Friday, with the most severe weather expected around the middle of the day.

The weather is also disrupting Hovertravel crossings between Southsea in Portsmouth and Ryde.

Travellers are being urged to check their journey in full before setting out.

A flood warning means that flooding is expected so you should act now. The Environment Agency suggests:

• Move your loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place.

• Move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building.

• Turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it's safe.

• Put flood protection equipment in place.

• Do as the emergency services tell you and help others if it's safe to do so.

In Dorset, several flood alerts are in place including Christchurch Harbour due to high tides and also Preston Beach at Weymouth, Swanage Bay, Studland Bay, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Bournemouth Beach, Hengistbury Head.

Flood alerts on Dorset's west coast cover Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Seatown, West Bay, Bothenhampton, Burton Freshwater, Burton Bradstock, Cogden Beach, Chesil Beach, West Fleet, East Fleet.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the south coast including Dorset, The Isle of Wight and Hampshire until 17:00 BST.

An amber weather warning for strong winds is in place for Cornwall and parts of Devon.