Trees brought down and homes without power as Storm Isha wreaks havoc in the New Forest and Christchurch

TREES fell on roads and power cuts hit properties as residents count the costs of another violent storm which battered the New Forest and Christchurch.

Very strong winds hit the areas yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and throughout the night, with gusts of up to 86mph measured at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.

The Met Office had raised its previously issued yellow warning for wind to amber, with a yellow warning for rain, as Storm Isha began to wreak havoc.

Emergency services and councils urged the public to take care while travelling in the extreme conditions and follow advice from authorities.

Firefighters rushed to Brockhills Lane, New Milton, around 8.30am this morning (Monday) after a large tree fell across the road, bringing down two pylon cables.

This knocked out supplies to around 10 customers, and the Dorset fire crew provided safety help for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

Residents were urged to avoid the road, which was cordoned off from both the Oakwood Avenue and Sway Road ends.

Engineers were still clearing branches around 10.15am, with SSEN’s Power Track website saying it aimed to restore supplies by 8pm.

Around 20 more customers were left without power due to storm damage in the West Street area of Fordingbridge.

The issue was reported shortly after 7pm last night (Sunday), and SSEN said this was also hoped to be rectified by 8pm tonight.

In the Matchams area, near Hurn, another power outage being dealt with by engineers off Boundary Lane cut off supplies to 51 customers. First reported around 1.15am, SSEN aims to restore these by 2pm.

A motorist had a lucky escape when the car he was driving struck a tree which had been brought down across the Lyndhurst to Brockenhurst road.

Reported to have completely blocked the route around 11.45pm last night, it was said to have been cleared by 6.25am this morning.

New Forest District Council reported it was dealing with several fallen trees across the district, including one which blocked All Saints Road in Lymington. This was reported to have been cleared by around 10.30am.

Posting online, NFDC said: “Our teams are out across the district this morning, along with other agencies, assessing any localised damage caused by the overnight storm.

“Refuse and recycling collections are under way as planned but please allow extra time as some access may be restricted.

“If you see a fallen tree on a road not endangering life, please contact Hampshire County Council [tinyurl.com/mvphr2hk]

“If there is a fallen tree on a road, or own property, endangering life call 999 and ask for the fire service.”

It added: “With more unsettled weather predicted this week, please take care when travelling and follow advice from the authorities.”

Around 11.30pm last night, motorists driving through Walkford were urged to be extra cautious as roadworks barriers had been blown out of place on Walkford Road.

The Environment Agency issued a flood alert for Lower Avon and its tributaries, between Ringwood and Christchurch.

With river levels remaining high due to groundwater, it warned flooding could affect locations near the Middle and Lower Hampshire Avon.

Low-lying land was expected to be most affected, particularly around the tributaries.

The alert said: “Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.”