Heavy rain and strong winds have brought power cuts, transport troubles and disruption as Storm Henk blasted parts of the UK on Tuesday.

The Met Office issued an amber warning for wind through to 8pm covering a central swathe of England.

Gusts of up to 80mph were possible and the Met Office warned there was a risk of travel disruption, roof damage and possible power cuts across southern England, the Midlands, East Anglia and Wales.

The amber warning stated:  “A spell of very strong winds, already having affected southwest England, will move eastwards across parts of south Wales, southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia during the afternoon and evening.

“Gusts of 70-80 mph are likely on exposed coasts in the west. Inland, gusts of 50-60 mph are more probable, but perhaps briefly 60-70 mph in one or two places.”

There was also a broad yellow warning for wind across central and southern parts of the UK, where forecasters said that gusts of up to 70mph around exposed coastal parts were possible.

The Environment Agency had issued 181 flood warnings and 331 flood alerts were in place by 4.30pm.

National Grid said there were there around 1,000 properties without power in Cornwall by 4.50pm.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service were called out to The Ford in Kenilworth to rescue a motorist who got stuck trying to drive through flood water.

A spokesman said: “Due to the speed of the flowing water we used our inflatable sled to safely rescue the car’s occupants. Please avoid the area and don’t try to drive through flood water.”

National Rail told passengers that various routes across the south west and north west of England along with the Midlands, East Anglia and South Wales could be disrupted by Storm Henk.

It added that speed restrictions were being imposed which would mean possible train delays.

Winter weather Jan 2nd 2024
A tree was blown over by the wind in Tooting, south west London (Richard Wheeler/PA)

Flooding blocked lines between Huddersfield and Penistone, forcing trains between these stations to be cancelled or revised, National Rail’s website stated on Tuesday afternoon.

Thameslink advised passengers not to travel “unless absolutely necessary” as multiple weather-related incidents across the entire network had affected all routes.

Images captured by a resident in Tooting, south west London, also showed a tree that had been blown over by the strong winds.