A major Atlantic storm pummeled southern England

(CNN) - A major Atlantic storm pummeled southern England early Monday, knocking out power for tens of thousands of homes and blocking roads and railways with fallen trees.

With gusts as strong as 99 mph battering the south coast, authorities warned travelers to prepare for disruption across the region.

As the storm approached, rescuers had to suspend their search for a missing teenager swept out to sea. The unidentified teenager disappeared from Newhaven, East Sussex, on the southern coast, according to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

People in the southwestern city of Exeter complained of powerful winds.

"It sounds as if my windows will cave in and my roof will blow off," tweeted a user under the name Lauren Hill.

Fallen trees

Gary Qualter, a milkman working in the city, said the weather wasn't too bad when he started his shift around 2 a.m. But after 3 a.m., the wind "picked up noticeably and got very strong," he said by phone.

He said he came across a fallen tree and a lot of debris strewn around, but not a great deal of major damage.

Scores of trees were also reported to have come down farther east in East and West Sussex.

The strongest wind gusts - at 99 mph - were recorded on the Isle of Wight, which is situated off the south coast, the Met Office said.

Most of the homes without power are in the southeast of England.