Three people were killed by falling trees as Storm Arwen lashed parts of the UK with 100mph winds, leaving almost 250,000 homes without power last night.
Gales, snow and freezing temperatures wreaked havoc across the country, causing damage to buildings, road closures and train delays as forecasters warned the mercury was set to plunge below zero Sunday.
The storm's victims included a 'much-loved' primary school head teacher who was killed in Antrim, Northern Ireland, after a falling tree struck his car.
Francis Lagan, a father of four in his 40s, was head of St Mary's Primary School in Londonderry. He is believed to have been travelling with his wife and children when strong winds uprooted a tree that hit their car.
Stormont education minister Michelle McIlveen led tributes to Mr Lagan last night, describing him as 'dedicated and passionate'.
St Mary's deputy head Martina Bradley wrote on the school's website: 'It is with great pain and sadness... that I have to inform you of the untimely death of our much-loved principal Mr Lagan. May his gentle soul rest in peace.'
Three people were killed by falling trees as Storm Arwen lashed parts of the UK with 100mph winds, leaving almost 250,000 homes without power last night. Pictured: High winds wreak havoc on the roads of Somerset
An unnamed man died in similar circumstances at Ambleside in Cumbria, while a 35-year-old man was killed when a tree hit his pick-up as he drove through Aberdeenshire
Dozens of holiday homes trashed and flipped over from strong winds in Dene Caravan Park in Hartlepool, County Durham
The Met Office warned the north-east of England, north-west of England, Yorkshire, the West Midlands and the East Midlands will experience cold weather until Monday
In a social media post, St Patrick's College in Maghera, where Mr Lagan was a pupil in the 1990s, said: 'Education in south Derry has lost a giant in his prime.'
An unnamed man died in similar circumstances at Ambleside in Cumbria, while a 35-year-old man was killed when a tree hit his pick-up as he drove through Aberdeenshire.
In Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, high winds tore the roof off an animal shelter, leading to the death a newborn puppy. Gusts of 117mph were recorded on Cairnwell in Scotland's Highlands, while flurries of snow hit the South and Midlands.
Waves up to 26ft were recorded off North East beaches as coastguards begged people to stay away from the sea, warning: 'No selfie is worth killing yourself
