STORM Isha caused havoc as it swept through south Essex, with councillors using a chainsaw to help clear a fallen tree from a busy road.

Storm Isha hit Essex on Sunday night as a top wind speed of 60mph was recorded in Shoebury and an amber weather warning remained in force this morning.

The Met Office warned that heavy rain and strong winds could cause injuries and pose a “danger to life”, with widespread travel disruption affecting both c2c and greater Anglia reported on Sunday night and this morning.

Motorists experienced disruption too as large trees fell and blocked roads in both Benfleet and Westcliff.

Residents and councillors took matters into their own hands in Benfleet as they cleared a tree in Vicarage Hill.

Essex County Council councillor, Andrew Sheldon, said: “I saw on Facebook that a tree had come down in Vicarage Hill and I thought that I would go down there. The police turned up and I called a friend, Boyce Ward councillor, Andrew Thornton.

“The tree was blocking the entire road on a dangerous bend where people drive too fast. It was lucky no one was out, there could have been an accident if someone was going at speed so it was important to remove it.

“Andrew brought his chainsaw and cut it. Us councillors wear many hats.”

A huge oak tree was also toppled in West Road, Westcliff with emergency services working to move the tree debris at 10pm on Sunday.

As well as this, a tree which had fallen at St Michael’s road in Daws Heath was personally removed by Castle Point People’s Independent councillor John Knott.

c2c in particular experienced heavy disruption on Sunday going into today, with cancellations on all routes due to overhead wire damage between Pitsea and Leigh.

This extended to today as an object caught in overhead power lines caused further cancellations for commuters on Monday morning.

Storm Isha also forced the closure of the QE II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing, due to high winds, causing severe delays along the A128 road exiting Essex.