The port of Dover has re-opened after strong winds forced the closure for three and a half hours amid the biggest storm in England for a decade.

Residents woke up to roads blocked by trees that had been ripped from the ground, walls toppled over and fencing blew over during the height of the storm - between 6am and 8am.

Winds reaching 58mph have led to traffic chaos across the county and Kent Police is advising people to be extra careful due to adverse weather.
The A258 Dover to Deal road was flooded, and dustbins and other obstructions were blown onto residential roads.

“We survived another storm, as we are sheltered, and we knew there would not be a problem - Nigel Chandler, Deal Pier”

Ferry users at Dover were advised to contact their travel providers for updates during the Port of Dover closure from 6.30am.

Barbara Buczek of the Port of Dover, said the gusts reached 65 knots.
“The primary concern of the port and ferry operators is the safety of our customers and staff, she said.
“Passengers are advised to check with their ferry operator before travelling and consult our website (www.doverport.co.uk) or twitter account (@Port_of_Dover) for the latest information.”
She added: “Please note that there may be delays to services when the port re-opens.”

This picture (left) shows damage to fences in Hancocks Field, Deal.

Facebook posts report a wall being knocked over in Douglas Road, Deal, and a tree down in Northbourne Road, just off the A256 Eastry By-pass.
Deal Pier supervisor Nigel Chandler said the seafront escaped the worst of the bad weather as the winds were South-westerly on Monday morning.
He added: “We survived another storm, as we are sheltered, and we knew there would not be a problem.”
Mr Chandler said the winds from the north east were the real danger for Deal and on this occasion it was Dover that was hit by the big winds.
He added: “I was at the pier at 7am to open for eight and the highest wind recorded was 58mph.
“We opened as usual at 8am and by then the wind had slacked.”

Kent Fire and Rescue in Deal only responded to one call, scaffolding posing a danger in Marine Road, at he Cedars doctors surgery.

Watch manager Malcolm Cowie said: "We used ladders to remove some of the boards that had come lose and we secured them down."

Readers pictures and video have been posted on the East Kent Mercury's facebook page at www.facebook.com. If you have pictures or if you witnessed anything dramatic, email: mercurynews@thekmgroup.co.uk.