Latest travel and weather: Power cuts and flooding as storms continue

4.30pm update: The Met Office has warned of further disruption as the heavy rain and gale force winds continue into the weekend. Strong winds and huge waves will continue to bring risks along southern and southwestern coasts today before the winds ease. But another band of heavy rain is due to sweep across southern Britain tomorrow into Friday. A separate area of low pressure is then expected to bring more rain and very strong winds on Saturday. Andy Page, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: "The unsettled weather will continue over the coming days with heavy rain across the southern half of Britain on Thursday evening into Friday, and that will be quickly followed by another storm moving in early on Saturday. "This will bring the risk of flooding and damaging winds bringing down trees to cause disruption to travel and power networks." 1pm update: Avon and Somerset Police have advised drivers to make only essential journeys as high winds and rain make driving conditions difficult in Somerset. And seafronts along the Devon and Dorset coasts have been issued with a severe flood warning which are only used when there is a risk to life. Train services in Devon and Cornwall have ground to a halt with a massive hole in the sea wall at Dawlish leaving the line about to collapse and threatening houses.

MT @sophiepierce: Huge hole in sea wall at Dawlish threatens rail line and houses pic.twitter.com/W4egu5FNIf severe damage, incredible picture!

— Netweather.tv (@Netweather) February 5, 2014

There are reports on Twitter that the clocktower in Kingsand is in danger of collapse after being pounded by huge waves.

The clocktower in Kingsand - police say tower is in danger of collapse @bbccornwallpic.twitter.com/DMFT0eYRGU

— BBC Radio Cornwall (@BBCCornwall) February 5, 2014

Councillor John Clatworthy, Devon County Councillor for Dawlish, said 30 people had to be evacuated from their homes in the town by the police overnight. "At the moment it has just passed high tide," Mr Clatworthy said. "Clearly the damage was done last night. People had to be evacuated when the sea wall went and the track was breached. "There were about 30 people who had to leave their homes. To be honest, I have been here for 44 years and we haven't had storm damage like we have now. "The railway was built in around the 1850s and there had been two breaches before now, around 150 years ago. The storm last night was unbelievable. "It is not just Dawlish that is affected, this railway line is to Plymouth, the naval bases, Cornwall – it is a lifeline. "Something needs to be done and it is not just a five minute job." The knock-on effect of problems on the rail network is having an impact on trains running through Bath Spa Station. Several services have been delayed with the 13.22 to Bristol Temple Meads currently running 25 minutes late. First Great Western said all lines between Exeter St Davids in Devon and Penzance in Cornwall were closed. "We are unable to offer a train service west of Exeter St Davids towards Penzance due to further overnight severe weather conditions," a spokesman said. "High winds and driving rain are making driving conditions difficult across Somerset – particularly in the Taunton area where the A38 and A358 have been affected by fallen trees and other debris," an Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said. "Many roads in the area are impassable because of trees and branches, which have fallen due to the high winds. "Other roads also have surface water which is making driving conditions difficult as heavy rain sweeps through the whole of the Avon and Somerset Police force area. "There are queues and congestion on many roads throughout the Somerset area and we are urging people to only make essential journeys. "Those who have to travel on the roads are being urged to plan their journey in advance, anticipate delays and also listen to news broadcasts and bulletins on local radio stations about closed roads or where there is severe traffic congestion. "If you are travelling, avoid small isolated lanes and roads which go across low-lying land and are near to watercourses and drainage channels and prone to flooding. "Motorists should not attempt to drive through floodwater where there can be many hidden threats, including pot holes, cambers and roadside ditches and watercourses. "Also avoid parking near to roadside watercourses." Weather forecasters MeteoGroup said the strongest gusts overnight were at Berry Head in Devon with speeds hitting 91mph. ---- Power cuts, motorway flooding and yet more rain on the way as the winter storms continue to batter the region. Some parts of Bath were left without power for a time last night, including Bathampton. And flooding around junction 26 closed the M5 motorway last night for a time as more torrential rain fell. Strong winds have forced the closure of one lane of the M48 Severn Bridge this morning. Trains running through Bath Spa Station are on time but further afield rough seas have caused major damage to the track and sea wall at Dawlish. First Great Western are advising passengers not to travel west of Exeter St Davids. And South West Trains are running a bus service between Salisbury and Exeter until this evening. There is no let up as weather forecasters have warned there is more on the way. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for high winds today with gusts of 60-70mph expected over exposed locations with 50-60mph likely in and around Bath. A spokesman said: "The public should be prepared for the risk of further disruption to transport and power due to fallen trees. "Additionally, dangerously large waves will over top coastlines and bring the risk of further erosion and damage." Stormy weather left thousands of homes without power last night, trains cancelled and severe flood warnings. Western Power Distribution said there were 14,000 properties without power in the south west due to high winds. Late last night, a spokesman for the company said 75-80mph winds had caused "airborne debris" to fly into overhead lines. "We will be working into the early hours to restore power providing it's safe to do so," he added. The Environment Agency issued three severe flood warnings which are only put in place when there is ''danger to life". The warnings are in the south west – at West Bay Harbour, Lyme Regis Harbour and Weymouth Seafront at The Esplanade. There are 67 flood warnings and 213 flood alerts also in place.