Storm Eunice arrived in Hertfordshire with wind gusts up to 90mph across the county.
The Met Office issued a red weather warning in the county, which means there is a "danger to life" with damaging gusts today (Friday, February 18).
Flying debris caused damage to homes, roads and bridges.
Delays are expected on trains, buses and roads throughout Hertfordshire.
Attractions open on the final weekday of the half-term holiday have been forced to shut, and some council services are currently closed.
Emergency services have urged people to avoid travelling or leaving their homes with a red warning in force.
A Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Due to the current weather warning please avoid travelling where possible and be extremely cautious of strong winds and flying debris if you are outside Storm Eunice.”
Are there rail and road delays in Hertfordshire?
There is disruption on some of Hertfordshire's main roads:
- A1000 closed at Oakmere Park, Potters Bar due to storm damage
- A5183 closed between St Albans and Elstree at Radlett due to a fallen tree
- A10 viaduct closed between Ware and Hertford due to high winds
A tree landed on the M25 near St Albans at around 2.30pm, with all lanes reopened by 5.15pm.
Commuters on all major rail routes in Hertfordshire are facing disruption.
Thameslink and Great Northern have said that disruption is now widespread across its networks.
They wrote on Twitter: "We expect that most of our routes will not have a train service until at least tomorrow.
"If you made a journey earlier today, then it's extremely unlikely there will be a return service for you this evening."
Greater Anglia trains are suspended between Cheshunt and Bishop's Stortford.
Stansted Express trains between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport cannot run as a result of the disruption.
This is due to a fallen tree at Roydon, near Harlow.
On other lines, a reduced timetable is in force.
Train companies have asked passengers not to travel today, and complete their journeys tomorrow if they can.
Hertfordshire's Intalink has warned of disruption across the county.
Are half-term visitor attractions open?
Despite the half-term rush, tourist attractions have also been forced to close.
Paradise Wildlife Park near Hoddesdon, the Broadway Gallery in Letchworth and Willows Activty Farm, London Colney are among those closed.
Paradise Wildlife Park wrote on Instagram: "If you had a day ticket booked for the 18th of February, your day ticket will still be honoured on the day of your choice until the 31st March 2022.
"Our expert keepers will still be on site caring for our animals, and we expect to be open as usual on Saturday."
Hatfield House, Park and Gardens are closed.
Near Royston, the Imperial War Museum Duxford and Shepreth Wildlife Park in Cambridgeshire are also closed.
What is the latest advice?
Hertfordshire County Council has asked residents to take care.
The council has closed all its recycling centres.
Libraries in Buntingford, Goffs Oak, Kings Langley, Leverstock Green, Sawbridgeworth, Stevenage Old Town and Welwyn are closed.
An HCC spokesperson said: “We are asking residents to take care today after the Met Office issued an red weather warning for Storm Eunice, which is expected to bring high winds to Hertfordshire.
“We are advising residents to stay at home where possible and avoid making unnecessary journeys. If you do have to travel, please take extra care and allow extra time for your journey.
“Our highways and fire services will be standing by to respond to any incidents and keep the county safe."
Fallen trees and broken pavements or walls can be reported to the council online: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/faultreporting
You can report power cuts by phoning 105.
For the most up-to-date information about the county's roads, visit our LIVE Hertfordshire traffic map.
Do you have a live or breaking news story from across Hertfordshire? Email: hertslivenews@archant.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here