THE STORM caused widespread disruption across the Winchester area bringing down dozens of trees early today.

Sgt John Stribley, of North Walls Police Station said today: “There have been no injuries and no serious damage just the inconvenience of trees closing major arteries.

“Crawley at one point was almost cut off. We have had officers out clearing trees working with the Highways Agency.”

On New Farm Road, Alresford, a tree fell onto but did not snap a power cable.

In Winchester part of a trunk fell onto the road on Magdalen Hill and a large tree crashed down on to Cheriton Road, Fulflood.

One resident said: “The good thing is that the kids are not at Westgate School as it’s half term, but the nursery moved into the new build last week. Luckily this happened at night.”

Trains were disrupted with a tree on the track just north of Winchester railway station. Further reports said delays had left customers returning to Winchester from London stranded in Woking for nearly two hours.

A spokesman for South West Trains said there would be no service before 11am at the earliest.

“Most people have been fairly understanding,” said project manager Dean Pettitt who had volunteered to help customer services for the morning. “We hope to run services as soon as we can but we need it to be safe to do so.”

Villages near Alresford including Cheriton lost electricity at around 3am this morning. Across Winchester, Salisbury and Southamptona areas, Southern Electric said 9,000 homes were affected. It said most would have their power returned today but rural homes may remain without power until tomorrow.

Villages near Alresford including Cheriton lost electricity at around 3am this morning.

There were delays on the A272 near Cheriton after a tree fell across the road near Hockley House. It was cleared by 8am but caused tailbacks.

Two trees crashed down on the A33 near Micheldever completely blocking the carriageway.

Reports have come in of failed traffic signals across Hampshire including the crossroads in Twyford and the junction of A32/A272 near West Meon. There have also been traffic signal problems on the A27 in North Baddesley, junction 8 on the M3 near Dummer and the A339/A30 junction on the Blackdam roundabout.

Commuters in Winchester were affected after a small tree had broken away and fallen into St Cross Road near the junction with Five bridges Road, forcing vehicles to use only one side of the road.

A tree was down in Burnett Close, Weeke, taking down power cables.

Across England some 220,000 homes are without power.

Darron Burness, head of the AA’s flood rescue team, said: “Just because the storm has passed and it looks like a normal morning, don’t expect roads to be back to normal as quickly – there are still trees down, debris and local flooding.

“The clear up will take some time, so check the road conditions before departing and, if necessary, delay your journey or make alternative plans.

“On the road, it’s still important to keep your speed down, as there’s a lot of surface water, debris, sudden gusts and other potential hazards like dislodged manhole covers."

Any storm photos? Send them in to news@hampshirechronicle.co.uk