Storm Imogen lashing parts of the UK

More than 15,000 homes are without power after Storm Imogen brought heavy rain and winds of up to 96mph to parts of southern Britain.

South-west England and south and mid-Wales have borne the brunt so far, with eastern areas to be hit later.

Waves of up to 19.1m (63ft) have been measured off the Cornish coast, and winds of 70-80mph felt in many areas.

Rail services are disrupted, some cross-Channel ferries cancelled and drivers are urged to take extra care.

The Met Office has issued an amber severe warning for wind - meaning "be prepared" - for South Wales and south-west and southern England, and said coastal areas could see giant waves and localised flooding.

BBC Weather forecaster Peter Sloss said there had not been winds so strong across such a wide area of southern Britain since the winter of 2013-14.

Winds of more than 70mph have been recorded in many areas, including 81mph in the Isles of Scilly, 84mph in Pembrey Sands, Carmarthenshire.

The Met Office has confirmed that "phenomenal" sea conditions have been recorded at several points offshore. Defined as waves of more than 14m (46ft), it is the highest level on the World Meteorological Scale.

But Nicola Maxey, from the Met Office, said 4-6m was more likely along shorelines themselves, for example in the Bristol Channel, and those peaks were most likely to occur at low tide and therefore have a smaller impact.

• Latest live updates from south-west England as Storm Imogen hits

The Environment Agency has more than 50 flood warnings in place in England and Wales, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

There are more than 170 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible and be prepared.

Image copyrightArriva Trains Wales

Image captionFlooded tracks - including this one near Machynlleth in Powys - have forced some train cancellations

Image captionRussell Cooke woke to find his car crushed by a fallen tree outside his house in Exeter

Image copyrightDave Sherris

Image captionHuge waves crashed over the sea wall at St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly

Problems so far include:

• Western Power Distribution says about 13,000 homes are without power in south-west England, 1,400 in the Midlands and 1,200 in Wales
• P&O Ferries are subject to delays and several Brittany services have been cancelled
• The M48 Severn Bridge is closed to all traffic but the M4 Second Severn Crossing remains open. The QEII Bridge at Dartford and Sheppey Crossing have also been closed, causing long delays
• A number of schools in Cornwall were closed because of power cuts and storm damage
• Several parts of Bridgend town centre have been shut because of falling roof tiles
• All train services in and out of Cornwall have been cancelled after a tree fell across the tracks near Bodmin
• Services are disrupted on a number of other services, including Arriva Trains Wales, Southern trains and Great Western Railway. For more information, go to National Rail Enquiries
• Gatwick Express is running a reduced service and Gatwick Airport is warning that flights could be delayed
• There is no cable car service on the Emirates Air Line across the River Thames due to high winds
• Two young children were badly injured when part of a garden wall was brought down on top of them as they walked to school in Worcestershire