Hurricane ?

25 years ago on October 16th Don and I spent several very early hours sitting downstairs in our living room  trying to shut out the noise of falling tiles, banging gates and rolling dustbins as we sat out the Great Storm of 1987.  It had been an evening of torrential rain and high winds which grew steadily worse and woke us in the early hours of the morning with a noise like a hundred banshees howling and banging.  The rattle of tiles coming off the roof made us decide it would be prudent and safer to spend the rest of the night downstairs.   There was a danger that the chimney stack might come crashing through the roof. It was pitch dark as the electricity had failed so we sat there by candlelight praying for the storm to pass.
Daylight showed scenes of desolation.  Trees were leaning over at odd angles though because we were sheltered none had fallen in our garden. Cars had been blown over. Shocked neighbours were surveying the damage.
We found out that whole swathes of woodland round about had been flattened.  Shop windows had been blown in and goods ruined.  Worst hit in the storm was the south east, Kent and Sussex.  A large Sealink ferry was driven on to the beach at Folkestone.  Caravan parks were wrecked and caravans reduced to matchwood.  Buses and lorries were overturned.  roads and railways were blocked by fallen trees.  Because of this people struggled to get to work and many businesses were closed while the staff who had managed to get there spent the day clearing up
Our local builder found a tarpaulin to put on our roof to keep out the rain until repairs could be done.  Everyone was in need of a builder. Our man sent his very elderly father to replace our tiles and mend the gutters which had fallen off.  I was really worried to see this tottery old chap up a ladder but he made a good job of it.
I believe about 20 people lost their lives.  Looking afterwards at the terrible damage the storm had wrought I am  surprised it was not more.  We can do nothing when faced with the forces of nature..