Several roads are blocked and residents have been left without power after Storm Eleanor blew in last night.
Forecasters warned lives could be at risk from flying debris as the fifth-named storm of the season arrived.
A yellow weather warning – meaning ‘be aware’ – was issued yesterday and was in place overnight and until 6pm today.
Winds of 84 mph battered the Isle of Portland last night but despite this Dorset Police have said major routes seem largely unaffected by weather related issues at the moment.
Just spoken to @dorsetpolice and major routes seem largely unaffected by weather related issues, at the moment!
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) January 3, 2018
Lots of reports of fallen or partially fallen trees/branches on your local minor roads so we’ll try to mention them as we go through the morning.
Tweet us any info.
Portland Beach Road is currently open but there is a risk of spray so drivers are urged to be cautious heading to and from the isle.
Fallen trees are causing hazards on the roads this morning and driver are urged to take extra care.
- Revels Hill closed due to a crash. It has been reported a car has hit a tree at Gales Hill. Police are directing traffic.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report of a single vehicle collision at Revels Hill near Cosmore at 7.12am today.
"The vehicle involved, a black Ford Focus, has overturned and it was also reported that a tree was partially blocking the road at the location.
"Recovery is being arranged for the vehicle and the local authority has been informed of the tree blocking the road.
There are no reports of any injuries and one lane has been now been reopened.
#TravelDorsetAlert: A35 just east of Bere Regis part blocked by a fallen tree, near Sugar Hill.
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) January 3, 2018
- Police are at the scene on the A35 and directing traffic. Traffic is now easing and the tree has been removed.
- B3143 between Piddlehinton and Dorchester is partially blocked in both direction due to fallen tree at the B3142. Police are at the scene and traffic is coping well.
- Long Lane at Puddletown is also partially blocked in both directions due to fallen tree between Birch Lane and B3142. Traffic is coping well.
- Watford Lane both ways blocked due to fallen tree at Pymore Road. Traffic is said to be coping well.
- A354 both ways partially blocked due to fallen tree near A35 junction with B3142 Druce Lane. Traffic is coping well.
- A356 is partially blocked due to fallen tree at Chilfrome Lane which is affecting traffic between Notton and Maiden Newton.
- B3165, Oathill Lane in West Dorset is partially blocked due to fallen tree at B3162.
- Curry Hole Lane both ways partially blocked due to fallen tree at Yeovil Road.
- There is queueing traffic and the A351 Sandford Road is partially blocked due to fallen tree near Organford Road. It is causing congestion on the A35 and B3067 Dorchester Road (Bakers Arms Roundabout) and to B3075 (Wareham).
Reports of trees fallen; these are lifted from our database and may or may not be affecting traffic:
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) January 3, 2018
High Street, Spetisbury; Burton Road, Christchurch; Oathill Lane, Colehill; Charminster Bypass, Dorchester; Curry Hole Lane jct, Corscombe; Dorchester Road, Maiden Newton...
Trees down continued... Chamberlaynes, Bere Regis; Waterston Lane, Waterston; White Hill, Stoke Wake; Glengarry Way, Christchurch; Poole Road Lytchett Matravers; A356 between Winyards Gap and jct Chedington; A357 between Enford Farm and Main Road, Durweston.
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) January 3, 2018
According to Scottish and Southern Electricity, residents in the DT2 area have been left without power overnight.
The powercut was first reported at 3.14am this morning with an engineer expected shortly afterwards but power is not expected to be restored until 3pm.
When you have a power cut, based on our best knowledge at that time, we will give you an estimated time that we expect to have your power to be back on by. For details on how we select this time go to https://t.co/JatNhQPMf4 #InformedDecisions
— ssencommunity (@ssencommunity) January 3, 2018
First Dorset have announced some issues with their services due to the adverse weather conditions.
Several buss services are running late and B2 bus service will not be serving Wyndord Eagle, Toller Procorum, Higher Kingcombe and Hooke.
The B4 school service is also unable to provide a full service.
A spokesperson from First Dorset said: "The bus is stuck before the Fox and can't proceed due to a fallen tree. Therefore we can't service the Fox, Corscombe and Cheddington, apologies for this."
More to follow.
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