THE first named storms of the autumn struck West Somerset and Exmoor on successive days across the weekend, causing power cuts, trees to fall and block roads and in at least one case to crush a car, and organisers to cancel a host of long-planned events.

The ancient Tarr Steps clapper bridge on Exmoor was washed away for the fifth time in nine years, after last being rebuilt in 2023, but because the stones are individually numbered they can be put back in place again once the water levels drop.

In Dulverton, the five-span stone arch River Barle bridge was clogged with fallen tree branches and other debris swept downstream, while in Dunster a parked car was crushed by a falling tree.

Here is a roundup of some of the photographs taken by Free Press readers.

Storm Austen lashes Watchet Harbour on Friday evening.
Storm Austen lashes Watchet Harbour on Friday evening. (Peter Mather)

The Watchet Harbour lighthouse is deluged by waves as Storm Austen strikes.
The Watchet Harbour lighthouse is deluged by waves as Storm Austen strikes. (Peter Mather)

A tree came down and crushed a parked car in Dunster Steep car park during Storm Austen on Friday afternoon.
A tree came down and crushed a parked car in Dunster Steep car park during Storm Austen on Friday afternoon. (Teresa Adams)

Huge tree trunks and branches washed down the Rover Barle start to block Dulverton's medieval stone bridge.
Huge tree trunks and branches washed down the River Barle start to block Dulverton's medieval stone bridge. (Leanna Coles)

Debris can be seen collecting against Dulverton's bridge over the River Barle.
Debris can be seen collecting against Dulverton's bridge over the River Barle. (Leanna Coles)

Tarr Steps, an ancient Exmoor clapper bridge across the River Barle, was washed away again in the weekend storms.
Tarr Steps, an ancient Exmoor clapper bridge across the River Barle, was washed away again in the weekend storms. (Leanna Coles)

A leaf clearance operation was mounted on Saturday in The Avenue, Minehead, in between storms.
A leaf clearance operation was mounted on Saturday in The Avenue, Minehead, in between storms. (Sean Soren-Lorensen Phillips)

Only two of the five arches of the bridge over the River Barle in Dulverton remained clear of debris.
Only two of the five arches of the bridge over the River Barle in Dulverton remained clear of debris. (Leanna Coles)

The 3,000-year-old stones making up the Tarr Steps clapper bridge on Exmoor have been replaced by pile of driftwood washed downstream in the weekend storms.
The 3,000-year-old stones making up the Tarr Steps clapper bridge on Exmoor have been replaced by pile of driftwood washed downstream in the weekend storms. (Leanna Coles)

Despite the storms, cycling's national hillclimb championship went ahead in Porlock on Sunday.
Despite the storms, cycling's national hillclimb championship went ahead in Porlock on Sunday. (Jon Batement)