Thousands of people are waking on Christmas Day either evacuated from their homes or without power.

Fifty thousand homes across the UK are still without power this morning, the Energy Networks Association said.

Major power company UK Power Networks is offering to pay for Christmas meals in local pubs or restaurants for people whose supplies remain cut off.

The Environment Agency has three severe warnings in place in the South East - the highest level of alert, which means there is a danger to life.

Firefighters broke their strike in parts of England because of the storms.

As of 10am this morning (Christmas Day) roads across the county are currently closed because of severe flooding.

They include the A27 Lewes Road in Polegate, A238 Washington Road in Storrington, Queen Street in Worthing, Copthorne Common Road in Copthorne, Wantley Hill  in Henfield, Littleworth Lane in Horsham, Maudline Lane in Steyning, Blackgate Lane in Pulborough, Malthouse Lane in Horsham.

Travellers trying to get home on Christmas Eve fought treacherous conditions on the roads and suffered major delays as the rail network was brought to its knees.

There was chaos at Gatwick Airport after a power cut at the North Terminal led to cancellations and delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The airport said last night that normal service would resume today.

Airline easyJet said it would be operating a limited number of flights from Gatwick Airport today to replace ones that should have operated yesterday.

But the firm said it would be unable to schedule any further flights today because of limited capacity at airports and crew availability.

Both East Sussex and West Sussex Fire and Rescue services have been called to numerous emergency flood calls overnight.

In Broad Oak, near Uckfield, a motorist called fire crews for help after they became trapped in their car in high water.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the driver managed to free themselves before crew arrived.

Emergency services were also called to the A259 in Newhaven at around 12.30 this morning (Christmas Day) after a car crashed.

Crews freed a male passenger who was taken to hospital. His injuries weren't though to be serious.

Brighton and Hove City Council has closed part of the beach either side of the Palace Pier to stop people taking part in the traditional Christmas Day swim over safety fears.

A woman who was swept out to sea in the early hours of Saturday morning in stormy weather still hasn't been found.