Windstorm Arwen hits NE England, cuts power for tens of thousands of Britons

Gusts of 98 mph hit Brizlee Wood in Northumberland, north-eastern England, according to the Met Office, which said amber and yellow warnings remained in place on Saturday across much of the country. "Many roads remain closed so please only travel if absolutely necessary," it said on Twitter.

Tens of thousands of people across Britain were left without power overnight as Storm Arwen brought strong winds that gusted up to nearly 100 miles per hour (160 kph) parts of the country. Gusts of 98 mph hit Brizlee Wood in Northumberland, north-eastern England, according to the Met Office, which said amber and yellow warnings remained in place on Saturday across much of the country.

"Many roads remain closed so please only travel if absolutely necessary," it said on Twitter. More than 55,000 customers in the Northumberland, County Durham, and Tyne and Wear areas experienced power cuts, the Northern Powergrid said. Engineers were also working to restore supplies in Scotland and southern England.

(With inputs from agencies.)