HOMES were evacuated and roads were left "barely passable" as Storm Eleanor led to flooding and disruption across Cumbria.

Dozens of warnings and alerts had been issued across large parts of the country, with high winds and localised flooding reported.

Carr Lane and the Promenade on Walney were closed during the night by police as waves were crashing onto the roads while Earnse Bay was also affected.

Dog walker Chris Boothroyd make a gruesome discovery at the beach near Furness Golf Club when he came across a dead porpoise which had washed up on the shore.

Walney resident Christopher Hyde, who lives at Plover Gardens which overlooks the Promenade, took some dramatic images showing just how close the sea came to homes on the island.

Volunteers from Furness Coastguard carried out patrols last night on Walney to assist with any emergencies. Whilst on patrol, the team assisted police in locating the owner of a vehicle which was about to be flooded by the tide on Walney promenade and moved the vehicle to a safe location.

The coastal road between Bootle and Waberthwaite was only passable by 4x4 vehicles after huge swathes of rocks were left scattered across the tarmac.

Local resident Luke Pinney used his quad bike to access the road and clear debris.

"I went out at 7.30am and although it was still dark I could see how slowly the cars were going past," Mr Pinney, a supply teacher, said.

"I've only been here two years but apparently it was as bad as this in the winter of 2013."

Mr Pinney, who lives close to the shore with his wife and two teenage children, spent most of the morning shifting large stones and chucks of wood from the road.

"The farmer nearby will come and move the rest of the stones, I just moved all the big stones, pieces of plastic and wood so cars could get along the road," he added.

During the morning the A595 at Ravenglass was only just passable between Whitehaven and Barrow.

The A5087 Coast Road was described as "just passable" this morning with debris on the carriageway.

Niccy Howarth said at 10.45am today: "At Newbiggin it's passable at the moment and this flood is shallower on the beach side, not the middle of the road.

"Aldingham has a little standing water but both fields are fit to bursting at the usual spot. About time drainage was sorted here, absolute joke. Lanes were mostly clear from Ulverston to Newbiggin when going through Scales."

A tree in Coronation Gardens, between Emlyn Hughes House and South Cumbria Magistrates' Court has been felled by the strong winds.

Late last night a HGV was blown over on the southbound carriage of the M6 at Tebay at around 11.30pm although police said no injuries have been reported.

Road closures in Cumbria:

Carlisle, Rockcliffe road, Rockcliffe, near River Esk at Boat House

Allerdale, B5300, Dubmill Point Allerdale, U7166, Oulton near village hall

Copeland, C4029, Main Street to Foxcroft B&B, Haverigg

Allerdale, C2052, Skinburness Road, Silloth

Allerdale, B5307, Angerton House (west of Kirkbride)

South Lakeland, Windermere A592 due to a fallen tree

Is there more to come?

The threat of flooding, mainly in coastal areas, still remains as many flood alerts are currently in place for today throughout the county.

They are for:

Coast at Barrow

Coast at Duddon Estuary

Coast at North Morecambe Bay

Coast from Gretna to Silloth

Coast from Heysham to Cockerham

Coast from Silloth to St Bees

Coast from St Bees Head to Millom

Lune Estuary Rivers Duddon,

Crake and Mill Beck

South Morecambe Bay area

Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water.

A yellow warning for wind issued by the Met Office remains in place until 6pm tonight for Cumbria, the rest of England, Wales and the southern part of Scotland.

Widespread disruption is expected today after the storm swept across the country overnight carrying heavy rain, hail and dramatic thunder and lightning.

The Met Office said gusts of 100mph were recorded at Great Dun Fell in Cumbria at 1am, while wind speeds reached 90mph at Orlock Head in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

Meteorologist Becky Mitchell said the risk of more "violent storm-force gusts" had lessened, although wind speeds of between 70mph and 80mph could hit some parts.

"Storm Eleanor has swept through and the eye is now crossing the North Sea, although there will continue to be strong gusts through the day," she said.

"We have seen some heavy showers push through across the south of the UK along with hail, loud thunder and lightning, which has woken people up.

"It is possible there will be quite widespread disruption this morning and it is worth checking before you travel."

Superintendent Mark Pannone from Cumbria Police said: “I’m pleased to say that the weather conditions are easing and that there have been no reported injuries as a result of Storm Eleanor.

“Agencies across the county have worked throughout the night in order to limit the effect of the adverse conditions.

“There are a number of tidal flood alerts in place for the county’s coastline and I would advise that members of the public do not visit or walk along the coastline at times of high tide today for their own safety.”