A MEMBER of the public heard a "loud crack and thud" as a huge tree was taken down by Storm Otto and blocked a road.

The severe weather system is battering the UK today, with high-speed winds causing mayhem in the Bradford district and surrounding areas.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the city today in relation to the storm, running between 5am and 2pm, with wind speeds set to peak at 52mph at noon.

Storm Otto has wreaked havoc across the city and suburbs so far, with a large number of flights at Leeds-Bradford Airport (LBA), in Yeadon cancelled or delayed.

Train services have also been disrupted, while the A58 Whitehall Road at Wortley, Leeds, is closed in both directions due to an unsafe building. 

There was a scary scene on East Chevin Road, in Otley earlier today too.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in OtleyA huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in Otley (Image: Paul Willock)

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in OtleyA huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in Otley (Image: Paul Willock)

A large tree fell across the road and completely blocked it, with Paul Willock capturing photos of the shocking scene at 9.24am.

He said: "We are working opposite and just heard the loud crack and thud, luckily no one was injured that's the main thing."

The leafless tree was spread right across the carriageway, with its long branches stretching over the tarmac and debris littered everywhere.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in OtleyA huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in Otley (Image: Paul Willock)

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in OtleyA huge tree was felled by Storm Otto and blocked East Chevin Road, in Otley (Image: Paul Willock)

Emergency services were informed and they worked together with the community to remove the tree, taking just over an hour to clear the blockage.

Storm Otto is expected to cause wind speeds as high as 80mph on exposed coasts in northern Scotland.

It is the first named storm of the year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Emergency services and members of the community helped clear the tree from East Chevin Road, in OtleyEmergency services and members of the community helped clear the tree from East Chevin Road, in Otley (Image: Paul Willock)