High winds are hammering north Kent with trees falling, a lorry overturned on the M2 which has closed the viaduct and homes "blown apart" as Storm Eunice sweeps in.

A chimney at a power station on the Isle of Grain has been blown down.

All rail services across Kent and south east London have been suspended and the Dartford Bridge has already been closed as tourist attractions shut during the half term break in anticipation of the bad weather.

Councils have warned people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary with a red warning – meaning there is likely to be risk to life – issued by the Met Office.

We'll bring you the latest live updates as they happen with the worst of the weather to arrive from about 10am and the warnings in place until at least 3pm. For the bigger picture across Kent follow updates here.

Storm Eunice arrives bringing strong winds - live updates

The owner of a house "blown apart" in Chatham has spoken at her disbelief at seeing the damage.

Kathryn Wareham has rented out the end-of-terrace property in Beaconsfield Road, Chatham, for the past 17 years.

She was called at around 1pm to be told the wind had seriously damaged the home and it was in danger of collapsing.

She said: "I was just astounded when I got there and saw the hole in the gable end and being able to see into the house from the outside.

"The tenants told me that they heard a rumbling sound and then the wall collapsed. "Thankfully nobody was hurt, but they can't go back in there; they'll have to stay in a hotel tonight."

Mrs Wareham, who lives in Catterick Road, Lordswood, says the house is in danger of collapsing and will likely have to be demolished.

A 60ft tree has been blown over in Juniper Close, Walderslade.

The dramatic moment was captured on Mick Harper's doorbell camera.

He was watching a film in his lounge when it happened.

He said: "I heard this big thud sound and assumed something had happened in my drive.

"But I then saw people running in the street through the window and went outside to check."

Mick says the tree "fell the right way" missing homes.

Luckily cars which are usually parked close by were not there.

When he watched the doorbell footage, he "couldn't believe it".

The Subway at Gillingham Pier has been forced to close after part of the roof came off and crashed to the ground outside its front door.

Staff, who were inside serving customers at the time, have been told not to go outside the front until it is declared safe.

The business will be closed until further notice with workers being escorted out of the rear of the building.

A staff member said: "Thankfully nobody was hurt."

The M2 Bridge over the River Medway near Rochester has been closed, National Highways has confirmed.

It follows a lorry overturning on to its side perilously close to the barriers earlier this morning.

Rainham resident Claire White passed by and described the situation as "just crazy" saying she was surprised the crossing had not yet been shut.

A spokesman for National Highways said: "The M2 Medway Bridge in Kent is closed in both directions between J2 (Rochester) and J3 (Maidstone) due to strong winds

"Wind speeds will continue to be monitored and the bridge will be reopened when it is safe to do so."

A diversion is in place coastbound via the A289, Medway Tunnel and Hoath Way to rejoin the motorway at J4.

The Londonbound traffic is advised to leave the M2 at J3, down Blue Bell Hill to the M20 and rejoin the M2 at J2 via the A228.

All trains have now been cancelled across Kent and south east London.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We are closing all routes in Kent, and all lines in South East London are blocked by trees. Please do not travel.

"We will reassess the risk after 3pm on a line by line basis but it is no longer safe for our staff or trains to run."

Meanwhile due to the number of fallen trees across the county's roads, bus operator Arriva says services are affected on multiple routes in Gravesend, Dartford and Medway.

St Mary's Island resident Serena Tadd got a surprise when she looked out of her window to find somebody else's trampoline in her garden.

Debris has been sent flying down Watling Street in Chatham after fencing around the old fire station collapsed.

Neighbour Nicole Fox said “They had a large fence up around the site where they demolished the old fire station. They've been using it as a temporary area for the ambulances.

"The fences tore down and sent debris flying everywhere.”

A tree came crashing down among parked cars and blocking the road in Stuart Road, Gillingham and around Wainscott and Walderslade.

Trees are down across Medway including by the Cornwallis Avenue roundabout in Gillingham.

Power cuts have been reported in Halling, Waniscott, Longfield and Cobham, where five trees have come down along Halfpence Way.

Police were called at 11.20am to a report that a fallen power cable in High Street, Halling, had struck a vehicle.

Officers attended the scene where no injuries were reported.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, highways officers and UK Power Networks teams also went to help.

A willow tree has come down in Mountfield Close, Gravesend blocking three driveways and just missing residents' cars.

Caroline Moody who lives in the street said: "We were just laying in bed and we heard the wind howling but then we heard a tree hit the window.

"There is an old willow tree near my car. It has literally snapped in half. It is blocking the driveways.

"It has not hit our car or hurt anybody. It has got a lot of branches that are blowing around like a hurricane."

A tree came down in Milton Road, Gravesend, but has since been cleared.

Another was reported down near Gravesham Court, Gravesend, narrowly missing a car.

Meanwhile, household waste centres in Medway have been closed by the council.

The authority confirmed at midday its three centres at Capstone, Cuxton and Hoath Way would be closed for the rest of Friday.

Food bank organisers in Gillingham say the service will be open today but have advised people to come as early as possible.

In Gravesham, the council has closed several parks across the borough including Woodlands Park, Camer Parks, Wombwell Park, Windmill Gardens, and Fort Gardens.

A spokesman said people should "stay away from parks, open space and the riverside" for their safety.

Gravesend and Northfleet cemeteries have also been shut.

Elvijus Griksas, of Wigmore Road, Wigmore, said the street has been without power since 11.30am.

Outside he captured sparks flying from a telegraph pole which is still ongoing.

He said: "The wind is just making the cables touch so sparks are still happening as we speak."

Sparks fly in Wigmore Road

Cascades Leisure Centres in Thong Lane, Gravesend, and Cygnets in Northfleet will close between 10am and 3pm, Gravesham council confirmed.

GCLL, which runs both centres, said its third venue at Swanscombe would also shut between 10am and 3pm.

A statement on the leisure centre websites said: "Due to severe weather warnings the centres will be closed today between 10am and 3pm. We apologise for any inconvenience caused - the safety of our customers and staff is our priority."

The Woodville theatre in Gravesend has been closed for the day, it was announced just after 10.45am.

The two cinema screenings which were due to take place - of children's animation Sing 2 and horror movie Scream - have been cancelled. Customers can contact the box office for either a refund or arrange to attend another performance.

Also, An Evening with Mr Dickens which was due to take place at St George’s Arts Centre has been postponed until next Friday, February 25. Customers are being offered a refund if they can't make it.

For the latest updates on Gravesham council services, go to gravesham.gov.uk/emergencies

Waste and recycling services are running today so far in Medway, Gravesham and Dartford but council officers say they will be monitoring the situation and advise residents if they are unable to make collections.

Three roads were inaccessible for crews in Gravesham and will be returned to on Monday if the debris is cleared.

Traffic and travel

Traffic will be severely affected and the QEII Bridge at the Dartford Crossing was closed from 5am with 60-minute delays anti-clockwise as motorists are diverted through the eastern tunnel. Shortly after 10.30am the Sheppey Crossing on the A249 was also closed.

National Highways have advised people to try avoid using the M2 viaduct near Rochester if at all possible with warnings that high-sided vehicles and other "vulnerable vehicles" such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over.

The Tilbury-Gravesend ferry service has been cancelled throughout Friday and Saturday morning and Uber Boat By Thames Clippers from Gravesend towards London is not running.

Trains will be running at reduced speeds across the network and Thameslink has advised there is no service between London Bridge and Dartford at all today.

But a fallen tree on the line between Dartford and Crayford has shut the line with services diverted via Sidcup.

Medway Council has abandoned carrying out the final day of roadworks in Pump Lane, Rainham which will be completed at a later date.

Tourism shuts down in half term

Tourist attractions have also prepared for the worst of the weather and the Historic Dockyard Chatham has confirmed it will not be opening at all on Friday.

A statement said: "We’re battening down the hatches.

"Due to the extreme weather warnings, we have made the decision to close the Historic Dockyard to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff.

"We hope to be back open for the weekend, but please check our website and social media pages before you start your journey."

Other sites across the county including Port Lympne, Leeds Castle and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway have also closed.

Rochester Castle has also been closed due to the risks posed by the high winds at the historic building.

Medway Council also confirmed its youth centre sessions including drop-ins at Parkwood, Strood and WREC at the Pentagon Centre are cancelled.

Health, Covid test and vaccine centres

Healthcare services will run but patients are advised to check before they travel to an appointment.

The Covid vaccine centre at the Pentagon Centre in Chatham is open all day but only for people with booked appointments.

However, the clinic at Asda in Chatham has been postponed on Friday and Saturday.

A Medway Council statement said: "All Covid symptom-free testing sites are closed today.

"This includes pop-up testing sites as well as our collection only sites at Twinkleton's, Chattenden and the Oast.

"Our PCR testing sites are temporarily closed and the walk-in vaccine buses will not be operating. PCR testing at Jellicoe testing site, University of Greenwich will not go ahead."

The University of Kent has confirmed its Medway campus will be closed on Friday.

Extra power network engineers are on duty for UK Power Networks in case any areas lose power as well as more contractors and helpline and support staff on duty.

Helplines and contact numbers

Councils have advised how residents can contact services in an emergency.

A Medway council spokesman said: "It is likely that the winds may cause uprooted trees and falling branches and residents are encouraged to call 01634 333333, during normal working hours, or 01634 304400 after hours, in an emergency, to report any fallen trees Storm Eunice may cause."

Gravesham council says people can call the authority on 01474 337000.

Dartford residents needing emergency assistance can call 01322 343434, which also works out of hours.

Send us your videos and photos if you can safely to medway@thekmgroup.co.uk