Storm Eunice updates as high winds bring travel disruption to Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Thousands of homes are without power and drivers are facing problems after Storm Eunice hit Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Almost 1,700 homes near Thorne in South Yorkshire lost their electricity supply, with connections expected to be restored by around 9pm. A further 200 homes were affected in Wombwell near Barnsley.

In East Yorkshire around 600 properties were without power.

On the roads, the northbound side of the M1 in West Yorkshire was closed on Friday afternoon between junctions 39 and 41 because of two overturned lorries.

The M62 was closed in both directions on the Ouse Bridge between junctions 36 and 37 near Goole.

Lincolnshire Police urged people in the region to avoid the roads "unless absolutely necessary", following reports of a number of fallen trees.

On the A1 at Colsterworth near Grantham a fallen tree blocked a lane, causing four miles of tailbacks.

There were also reports of high-sided vehicles being blown over at the A16, Crowland, Peak Hill in Spalding and Lound Road in Bourne.

The Humber Bridge closed to all traffic from 1.30pm on Friday for only the fourth time in its history. Wind speeds of 80mph recorded and drivers were being told to avoid the area. The bridge has now reopened but still closed to high sided and wind vulnerable vehicles.

Rail commuters were also warned to avoid travelling.

Network Rail said it had put additional workers at key locations on the railways across the region which are likely to be affected by the storm.

It said services would be significantly reduced and trains will run at lower speeds, with the potential risk of trees and debris being blown onto the line.

Matt Rice, the company's route director for the north, said: "We have extra workers out on the network at key locations, ready to react quickly to Storm Eunice and repair the railway wherever it’s safe to do so.

"As the weather worsens I’d advise passengers to avoid travelling on Friday and, wherever possible, try to replan your journey when conditions improve.”

The warning was echoed by Leeds railway station.

Ferry crossings were also affected, with P&O delaying its 9pm service from Hull to Rotterdam until Saturday morning.

In Leeds, cladding was torn off the side of an apartment block by high winds.

In North Yorkshire, snow fell in the early hours at the country's highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn.

Two flood alerts were issued along the coastline and a further three alerts on rivers in Yorkshire.

Simon Hildon, from The Environment Agency, has warned against people trying to take pictures by the coast.

"What we're seeing a lot of, and it's really really dangerous, is people trying to get that amazing selfie of when they're stood under the waves," he said.

"That can cause real problems, you can trip over and get dragged back in with the waves."

It comes after Storm Dudley caused some disruption on Wednesday, with trains delayed, or cancelled, and a small number of left without power.

On Thursday, a clean-up operation was underway in Sheffield. Highways officials cleared more than a dozen trees felled in high winds caused by the storm.