Storm Austen swept across Dorset and the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area on Friday, October 23, bringing severe weather, transport chaos and coastal flood alerts.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning across the county until 5pm, with persistent heavy rain and winds of 50 to 60mph; where exposed coastal areas could see gusts above 70mph.
The storm’s central pressure fell to about 975 millibars as it moved east along the English Channel.
Downpours dumped 35.6mm on Bournemouth in 12 hours, 36mm at the Holdenhurst gauge in 24 hours and 32mm on Swanage.
In north east Dorset, it followed the 20th-wettest three-day period on record, from October 20 to 22.
Despite another 12mm of rain in the morning, standing water initially remained limited because the soil had been unusually dry.
Commuters faced major disruption on roads and railways.
Dorset Police were called at 3.56am after a fallen tree blocked the A35 Christchurch bypass, which was closed until emergency crews cleared it.
More fallen trees were reported on Stony Lane.
Dorset Council closed Portland Beach Road and the Causeway at about 6.30am as floodwater rose.
Rail services were also hit after a fallen tree blocked the line between Poole and Bournemouth.
South Western Railway reported cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes between Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth and London Waterloo, while Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier services were suspended.
Replacement buses ran between Bournemouth, Brockenhurst and Weymouth, while local Morebus services accepted train tickets.
South Western Railway let stranded passengers use their train tickets on CrossCountry services between Bournemouth and Basingstoke and on several Morebus routes.
The Environment Agency issued flood alerts along Dorset’s eastern coast, including Christchurch Harbour, Castletown, Preston Beach, Swanage Bay, Studland Bay, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Hengistbury Head and Bournemouth Beach.
The morning surge was forecast to raise tides in Christchurch Harbour to 1.25m AODN.
Moors Valley Country Park closed for the day, while Brownsea Island remains shut until Sunday because of the weather.
Authorities and emergency services urged people across Dorset to take care as the severe weather continued.
Storm data recorded tidal surges along Dorset’s south coast, including a peak water level of 1.56mAODN at Weymouth, with force 7 winds.
Flood alerts covered low-lying areas near the Lower Stour and Lower Avon, while surface flooding hit Westbourne. Environment Agency officials urged people to avoid exposed coastal footpaths and seafront car parks.
Dorset Council told people to secure wheelie bins and loose items, avoid dangerous coastal paths and protect livestock and pets.
The Environment Agency urged people to avoid coastal roads, footpaths and car parks threatened by floodwater.
Winds were expected to ease slowly on Friday afternoon, but more heavy rain was forecast over the weekend and into early next week.
Forecasters warned that higher tides early next week could increase the risk of coastal flooding around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The warning also identified a small risk to life from flying debris and large waves, alongside possible power cuts and damage to buildings.
This also included a warning of possible damage to roofs and disruption to air and ferry services.
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