Storm Ciarán in Southampton: this is how the day unfolded

Residents were quick to batten down the hatches on Wednesday night ahead of the arrival of strong winds and heavy rain.

But come Thursday morning, what people feared was going to happen thankfully did not come to pass. 

The Itchen Bridge reopened following its closure from 7pm on Wednesday night, shortly before the Met Office downgraded their amber weather warning for wind to yellow. 

However there were still several incidents of flooding in and around Southampton. 

A section of Bridge Road in Woolston was closed for the day.

Water pooled beneath the railway bridge and access to the road was blocked. 

Further afield, Cemetery Road was also hit by a bout of flooding and the car park was closed to visitors. 

Cemetery Road (Image: Newsquest)

Workmen were seen attempting to alleviate some of the flooding on the road.

It remained closed for the remainder of the day.

Meanwhile, Bitterne Road West was affected by flooding but was passable for vehicles, unlike the entrance to a car park on St Denys Road which was 'completely underwater'.

Country parks and outdoor areas across Hampshire also fell victim to the heavy rain.

What looked like a new river formed in Valley Park in Chandler's Ford as a result, with the paths completely flooded. 

Across Southampton Water, several areas in the New Forest were hit by severe flooding.

READ MORE: Tornado warning issued as Storm Ciaran sweeps south of England

Roads adjacent to the Lymington River and its tributaries were particularly affected, with road users advised to avoid the area. 

Road closures were in force on Lyndhurst Road, Balmer Lawn Road, Mill Lane, Rhinefield Road, and Brookley Road.

The major incident which was declared ahead of Storm Ciarán was downgraded at 2pm by the  Hampshire Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum.

This was not a surprise to some Southampton residents.

Dog walker Emma Potter said at Weston Shore: "I have seen bigger waves in my bathtub.

"I thought I would wait and see what it was like. It seems like a lot of fuss about nothing."

Southampton couple Jane and Robin Goodwin were also walking along Weston Shore.

Robin and Jane Goodwin (Image: Newsquest)

Jane said: "Forecasters are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

"They have given fair warning, and it was obviously swept up the channel."

Robin added: "We live in a high area towards Thornhill and there was nothing at all this morning."

Marwell Zoo confirmed that it survived the floods from the storm and will be open as usual on Friday.