The Great Storm of 1987 - 25 years on
The storm of October 1987 was the most damaging weather event to hit the British Isles since 1703. The winds reached hurricane force and gusted at more than 100 mph. It ripped down trees and power lines, tore off roofs and tossed caravans and light aircraft over. Eighteen people were killed in the devastation.
It brought an outcry over the weather forecast which had largely failed to predict what was to come with the first severe weather warning issued only hours before the strongest winds hit. The storm's rapid development in the Bay of Biscay meant its final path towards Britain and its ultimate strength was difficult to predict using the data and forecasting techniques available at the time.
It's estimated the storm cost the UK insurance industry £1.4 billion pounds. The storm struck when most trees were still in full leaf and their grip in the ground was weakened by the waterlogged soil. Much of the damage was due to trees falling onto power lines, houses, roads and railways.
The storm left hundreds of thousands of people without power and it some cases mains electricity wasn't restored for more than a week. It's estimated 15 million trees were felled.
Click here for pictures from Essex photographer Derek Argent who shot the damage in the Burham-on-Crouch area.
Below is a video of coverage of the Great Storm on the About Anglia programme in October 1987.
What are your memories of the Great Storm of 1987? Do you have any pictures or video you would like to share? Contact us at angliatonight@itv.com.
Click here for more about the Great Storm and how it hit the rest of the country.