THE WORST storm since the one that hit England in 1987 has wreaked havoc in the South.

Hurricane-force winds of up to 100mph and torrential rain has left a trail of destruction and the clean-up bill is set to cost millions.

Power cuts plunged at least 30,000 homes into darkness, uprooted trees blocked roads and widespread flooding made driving conditions treacherous.

There was travel chaos this morning, with severe disruption to public transport services and motorists queuing for hours on blocked or flooded roads. Thousands of properties have been damaged, with roof tiles, fences and windows bearing the brunt of the winds.

A severe weather warning has been issued - with violent storm force 11 winds experienced.

Hampshire police, who received more than 3,000 calls overnight, advised people to stay at home unless their journey was urgent. Motorists were asked to take extreme care.

The storm has so far claimed one life. A person was killed and two people were badly injured when a tree fell on two cars in Surrey.

Chandler's Ford and Winchester have been particularly affected by torrential rain.

The Environment Agency has issued 140 flood warnings, with rivers at Lymington and the Isle of Wight in danger of breaking their banks. High spring tides have combined with the high south and south-westerly winds to batter coastal areas.A spokesman for the Met Office in Bracknell confirmed that hurricane force winds had battered the South Coast but the highest recorded gust in Southampton was 53mph - which was under hurricane strength.He added: "There was the Burns Day storm in 1990 which was spread across the country but probably in terms of the South Coast this is the worst since 1987."

Solent Coastguard at one point recorded winds of up to 100mph at The Needles, off the Isle of Wight, with gusts elsewhere in the South of up to 85mph.