Storm Dennis has claimed its first victim as winds and heavy rain batter Kent.

A body was recovered off the Kent coast this afternoon following a major air-sea search launched earlier this morning when a man was reported missing from a petrol tanker near Margate.

A spokesman for the coastguard confirmed this afternoon: "At around 1pm, after many hours of searching, a body was sadly found in the water by the RNLI Margate lifeboat and was brought to shore."

Just 12 miles away in Herne Bay, an 18-year-old who failed to return home last night has sadly been pronounced dead after he was pulled from the sea.

But police say the tragedy is not being linked to the storm.

A coastguard spokesman said: "Herne Bay coastguard rescue team and a search-and-rescue helicopter from Lydd were sent to Herne Bay earlier today."

Elsewhere, travel is being disrupted, hundreds are without electricity and at least nine flood warnings are in place.

This evening, a roof above flats collapsed onto a parade of shops in Canterbury Road, Herne Bay.

Fire crews and police are at the scene of the incident, next to Tesco Express, which has caused extensive damage.

Bricks and debris are scattered across the street, with several vehicles damaged. It is not known if anyone has been injured.

The road has been closed between Mickleburgh Hill roundabout and Gosfield Road.

Hundreds of homes are without power as engineers from UK Power Networks work to restore supplies.

More than 300 properties in Chartham, Snodland, Lenham, Harrietsham, Broad Oak, Wrotham Heath, Four Elms, and Bromley have either no electricity or interruptions in power supply.

UK Power Networks says it is monitoring the storm as it continues to move across the South East and advised customers to call 105 if they experience a power cut or see an electricity cable down - though to stay well clear of any damaged line.

A number of sporting and leisure events had already been cancelled in anticipation.

Southeastern reports that a fallen tree at Chilham is caught in a power cable and the line is now blocked in both directions between Canterbury West and Ashford International.

Replacement buses are being arranged to run between Ramsgate and Ashford via Canterbury.

The operator hopes the line will reopen later this evening, but replacement buses will be used until the tree is removed.

Some trains from Ashford to Victoria via the Maidstone East line are also being diverted via Tonbridge, before rejoining the Maidstone East line at Otford following reports of a fallen tree at Borough Green.

Highways England has closed the QEII bridge, with a contraflow being implemented.

Drivers are being warned to expect delays as southbound traffic heading into Kent is diverted via the east tunnel and Essex-bound traffic sent through the west bore.

It comes just days after Storm Ciara caused mayhem across Kent with a similar weather pattern.

The Met Office has released yellow and amber warnings for the wind and rain for the entire weekend, as well as a risk of flooding, and advised people to check their travel plans before leaving.

Any rail travellers affected by the storm may be entitled to compensation and are being told to keep hold of their train ticket and make a note of their journey.

The environment agency has today issued flood alerts for the following areas:

• River Teise from Lamberhurst to Goudhurst, including the River Bewl
• The River Medway from Forest Row to Penshurst, including Ashurst
• Middle River Medway from Penshurst to Hampstead Lock at Yalding, including the Leigh flood storage area, Ensfield Road, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, the Hop Farm, East Peckham, Branbridges and Hale Stree
• The River Beult from Pluckley and Bethersden to Hampstead Lock at Yalding
• Little Venice Country Park and Marina
• Upper River Stour from Charing Heath to the A2070 including Ashford and communities on the East Stour, the Whitewater and Ruckinge Dykes and the Aylesford Stream.
• Rivers Eden and Eden Brook and Kent Ditch from Blindley Heath to Penshurst including Edenbridge and Hever.
• Lower River Medway, including East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Teston and Teston Park, Tovil and Maidstone including Millennium Park.
• River Teise and Lesser Teise area from Horsmonden to Yalding, including Claygate, Collier Street and Laddingford.
• Lower River Stour from the A2070 at Conningbrook Manor to Fordwich, including Wye, Godmersham, Shalmsford Street, Chartham, Canterbury and Sturry.
• River Bourne from Hadlow to East Peckham, including Golden Green and Little Mill.

Other areas on alert are Smarden, Headcorn, Collier Street, Benover and The Lees.

Warnings have been sent to expect flooding on low lying roads and farmland later this evening and through to Sunday morning - though homes are not predicted to be affected in these areas.

Peak levels are expected early Sunday afternoon. Follow all the latest updates here.

The agency says it is closely monitoring the situation and incident response staff will be out checking structures and clearing blockages when it is safe to do so.

Kent County Council (KCC) had earlier advised that the weather could impact driving conditions, disrupt transport, isolate power outages and cause potential flooding.

A replacement bus service is running on Southern between Tonbridge and Redhill due to landslip between Edenbridge and Godstone. Tickets are being accepted on local buses, Southeastern and Thameslink services.

Storm Dennis' wet and windy conditions are expected to be at its worse between midnight tonight and 6pm tomorrow with gusts of up to 70mph in some areas.

The county authority said residents "could see 20-30 mm of rain quite widely," but added some areas may get as much as 60 mm.

Highways England has warned drivers to take care in the strong winds and rain. It says not to travel unless the journey is necessary.

The Met Office have issued an amber rain warning and yellow wind warning for the next two days.

The weather service's chief meteorologist Steve Willington, said: “Storm Dennis will bring another very unsettled spell of weather this weekend with a risk of flooding, particularly in parts of England and Wales and also southern Scotland, where snowmelt will add to the flood risk.

"With Storm Dennis bringing further heavy and persistent rain over the weekend, there is a risk of significant impacts from flooding..."

“Following Storm Ciara last weekend and further spells of rain this week, the ground is already saturated in places.

"With Storm Dennis bringing further heavy and persistent rain over the weekend, there is a risk of significant impacts from flooding, including damage to property and a danger to life from fast flowing floodwater.

“Our advice is to keep an eye on the latest weather forecast and weather warnings for your area and to follow the safety advice from officials.”

Sunshine and showers are on the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.

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