Thousands left without power after Storm Ashley pounds UK with 80mph winds

More than 50,000 people were left without power after Storm Ashley swept across Ireland and the UK yesterday.

The first named storm of the season arrived with a bang, as well as water by the bucket load as rivers burst their banks and waves drenched coastal promenades.

Gusts of up to 82mph came after many areas were already dealing with flooding, some with their wettest months ever, with the fasted wind speed recorded in Aberdaron, Scotland.

More than 100 flood warnings remained in place across the UK this morning, as well as a yellow weather warning for wind which has now been lifted.

The south Cornwall coast and large parts of the River Severn were especially at risk, and in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Flood Agency had 47 flood warnings in place with eight issued by Natural Resources Wales.

Wind was so strong that some main roads in the north of England had to close, including the A66 between County Durham and the M6 at Cumbria which reopened early this morning.

These pictures and video show how the storm battered those who weren’t able to stay indoors….