Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has received more than 170 storm-related calls this morning.

Concerned callers have phoned in about a large number of trees blocking roads, downed power cables and roofs and chimneys which need urgent repair work.

Gusts of up to 80mph swept through the county this morning. A spokesman for the Essex Resilience Forum said: “With gusts of up to 80 miles an hour predicted there is potential for trees and power lines to come down and for flying debris to present safety issues at the peak of the storm. If possible people should stay in until the worst of the wind has passed.

“Emergency services and other agencies, including local authorities, have been working together and monitoring the situation throughout the night and will continue to do so until the storm has passed.

“The best advice we can give people is to keep a close eye on weather reports and make sure that they are ready to respond to any advice which is given.”

Essex Police has established two hot-lines for people to report weather-related incidents: 0800 092 0410 and 0207 158 0124.

Essex County Council has closed a number of country parks including Belhus, Weald, Thorndon and Danbury because of the high winds.

A spokesman for UK Power Networks said: “Just because a power line is hanging low or laying on the ground does not mean that it is dead and safe to approach. Keep five metres from low power lines or power lines on the ground and report them to us. In the east of England call 0800 783 8838.”