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Oct 27th

10/27/2013

 
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A storm is approaching the south of England. By tonight, hurricane-force winds and heavy rain should hit us. There are fears about falling trees, buildings being damaged, flooding, travel disruption and power supplies. Exposed coasts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent could face the strongest winds.


PictureSt. Jude
In 1987, I'd just arrived in London from Queensland, Australia. When I say just, I mean a week or so before. I took a live-in job in Kentish Town as a nanny, and was given a room at the very top of the three-story house. During the night, the wind roared overhead and the roof started leaking. I awoke in the morning to devastation. Millions of trees fell overnight. On the streets, many crashed onto cars.

The approaching storm, like the one 25 years ago, is not expected to be too severe. With technology, earlier forecasting is much easier. However, things can change and an amber warning has been issued.
Amber meaning, 'Be prepared'.


PictureShrine of St. Jude
The predicted storm is named after one of the twelve disciples, St Jude, the patron saint of depression and lost causes, whose feast day is Monday; when the storm is due to reach its most ferocious.

Overnight, rain lashed the hydrangea leaves outside the bedroom window. Daylight revealed hundreds of flattened leaves littering the roadway outside. I hope the English trees won't suffer too much. There are few of them left, what with diseases striking the oak, elm, the ash and the horse chestnut. Trees are the Earth's lungs.

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.

                                                       William Shakespeare




Kama link
10/26/2013 08:17:55 pm

This must bring back so many memories for you. Let's hope that there is less devastation than previously. Stay safe.

Francene Stanley link
10/27/2013 12:34:39 am

So far, so good. The sun's shining and everything looks fine. 'The calm before the storm' comes to mind.

Caro Ness link
10/26/2013 08:27:44 pm

In the last big storm, my parents lost 38 trees on their farmland.., I hope we don't lose any this time...

Francene Stanley link
10/27/2013 12:36:00 am

How dreadful. They must have been devastated. I can't bear to see trees uprooted. The stories they could tell.

Amy link
10/26/2013 10:08:48 pm

Francene, Batten down the hatches and stay safe, my friend! I hope you don't suffer many losses over there!

Francene Stanley link
10/27/2013 12:37:16 am

Thank you for your well-wishes. We're fine here. Along the coast is probably worse.

Alana link
10/27/2013 06:05:13 am

I hadn't even heard of your storm of 1987 until yesterday. How terrible. Here, we are approaching (Tuesday) the first anniversary of landfall for our Superstorm Sandy. I hope your forecasters are right (this time) and your storm is not severe.

Francene Stanley link
10/27/2013 07:14:25 pm

Your Superstorm Sandy sounds terrible. We hear of more and more weather disruptions nowadays. Mother Nature can be fierce.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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