early 600 homes have left without power as the UK braces for Storm Agnes.
The affected properties were situated in north Cornwall and north Devon, said the National Grid, as the storm swept into the south-west.
Forecasters have warned the “worst conditions are still to come” as the storm makes it way across the UK.
Agnes, the first named storm of the season, has triggered a series of Met Office yellow weather warnings for wind and rain.
Gusts of up to 70mph had already been recorded in south-west Ireland, with the storm set to hit areas of northern England and Scotland later on Wednesday.
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: “Some of the worst conditions are still to come. The rain warnings are out to cover through the evening and the wind warnings are into the overnight period.
“We are looking at high gusts developing.”
Gusts of 53mph were recorded in the Isles of Scilly on Wednesday and “well into the 40mph (zone)” across parts of Cornwall and parts of Wales, but “the winds are picking up”, Mr Petagna said.
The Coastguard said: “Storm Agnes is expected to bring winds of up to 80mph (128km/h) to the British coastline.
“Please take weather warnings seriously and stay safe.”
In Ireland Agnes caused damage to buildings, power outages and travel disruption.
A roof was blown off a building in Co Cork and a woman had to be rescued from her car in Co Londonderry as a result of flooding.
The Republic and Northern Ireland saw travel disruption, with fallen trees blocking roads and flights and ferries also being affected.
In Draperstown, Co Derry, a woman was rescued from her car after it was trapped by floodwater.
When fire crews from Maghera and Magherafelt arrived at the scene, the car was submerged in the River Moyola.
Cars pass waves crashing over a wall into the road in Youghal, Co Cork
/ PAA firefighter broke a rear window of the car and brought the driver out onto the roof. They walked over a ladder to safety shortly before the car was fully submerged in the river.
The Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFRS) has advised motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords during the storm, and not to travel in heavy rain unless absolutely necessary.
However, London and the south east has largely escaped the worst of the storm, with Mr Petagna saying there is “a contrast in the South East as it is escaping all this and has seen some bright weather”.
The weather alerts include a wind warning until 7am on Thursday stretching across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as the south-west of England, the West Midlands and most of the north of England.
There are also rain warnings for much of Scotland through to Thursday at 3am.
The Met Office said: “Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the exact track and depth of Agnes, gusts of 45-55 mph are expected widely inland and 50-60 mph over hills and around coasts.
“The strongest winds are expected to affect eastern parts of Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland, west and northwest Wales, Cumbria and Lancashire where some inland locations may see gusts of 50 to 60 mph, and perhaps 65-75 mph over hills and around some coasts.
“The strongest gusts are most likely during the second half of Wednesday afternoon and through the evening.
