High winds with gusts up to 70mph battered Kent causing road closures including the Dartford bridge crossing.

Thousands of homes were left without electricity because power lines were brought down which UK Power Networks say it is working flat out to fix.

Numerous roads were closed by fallen trees as the storm developed overnight on Sunday, following the Met Office amber warning for the county and particularly coastal areas.

The A2 (Darenth) junction with the M25 was closed due to the wind blowing down power cables which were left hanging from the M25 bridge above.

Traffic was being diverted up A225 Dartford slip road and motorists were queued back between junction 3 for Swanley and 29 (Upminster) for hours on Monday.

Common Lane, Wilmington, also became partially blocked by fallen debris, and small trees had blown down all over the borough including some on Rochester Road, Gravesend.

Kent Fire and Rescue service were called out to a flat roof which had become detached in Elmfield Close, Gravesend; while a sign was blown into a dangerous position at a service station in Watling Street, Cobham.

On Monday morning the RNLI had to be called out after a workboat was blown aground by Storm Katie when it suffered engine failure this morning.

The lifeboat was launched at 7.46am to the boat, which had become was stuck in the mud after being blown aground near to Tilbury Power Station.

The Port of London (PLA) Harbour Patrol Boat Kew was on scene and was standing by to assist. The lifeboat manoeuvred as close as possible and using the throw bag as a messenger line managed to pass a tow to the casualty vessel.

But the weather was against them and the lifeboat was unable to tow the vessel off the mud against 55 mph winds.

The crew of the Harbour Patrol Boat Kew managed to pass a line and tow the casualty off the mud.

The lifeboat escorted both vessels back to Denton and the people on the boat were checked over and found to be well.