francene--blog. Year 2013
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Oct 28th

10/28/2013

 
Picturenews.bbc.co.uk
I'm reporting live from England during the storm named St. Jude. No. I'm not in the most endangered part, but rather on the edge of the eye here in outer London.

The news report says that rail services across much of southern Britain have been cancelled for the morning rush hour as a storm continues to batter parts of England and Wales. More than 40 railway line blockages caused by falling trees have been cleared, but more are expected to be found by special trains being used to clear tracks. In four cases the train inspecting the line has hit a fallen tree. They are also dealing with a landslip in the New Forest area, and 130 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow airport. As of this morning at 8am 40,000 homes are without power. Forecasters said exposed coasts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent could face the strongest winds. Gusts have been recorded at 90 mph out to sea—nowhere near the 115 recorded during the Great Storm of 1987. I experienced that one as well.


Picture
At the front of my home, giant horse chestnut trees are taking the brunt of the wind. Most of their remaining leaves litter the roadside. Leaves are swirling for hundreds of yards around like giant snowflakes. At the back, a line of tall poplars are swaying alarmingly. In times like these, trees play their most important role. Without their protection, the wind sweeping over the field from the south west would batter the fronts of our tiny strip of cottages.

Although flood warnings are in place, our homes are safe on the upper slope of the hillside. When the heavy rain hits, I fully expect floodwater to cover the road at the junction below. Drains were already clogged with autumn leaves.


Picturewww.123rf.com
People have been warned to remain home if possible. Schools are closed around my area, which reduces traffic as well. The wind has stopped now, I ½ hours after dawn, and the sun is blinding when it breaks through black clouds. St. Jude is protecting us from the worst effects of the storm.

And, just maybe, the combined prayers of the inhabitants of our Great island.

Signing off from the United Kingdom. ~ Francene, who believes in the power of the mind and that an 'ant can move a rubber tree plant', from the Frank Sinatra song.


Kama link
10/27/2013 08:19:26 pm

All well here in London Colney also. We always seem to be surrounded by storms but never touched. So many times when living in Australia we have put on the news to hear of floods, storms, fires all around us and we look out at sunny skies and say where? The same seemed to happen this morning. We are fine with no damage and yet all around us are sirens and clearing up. We feel truly blessed and have often pondered if it is our belief in staying safe that creates this.

Francene Stanley link
10/28/2013 12:09:20 am

Good to know you're safe too. You're so close to me at Elstree. What a strange twist of fete that we've both lived in Australia. And always stayed safe.

Kama link
10/28/2013 06:55:56 am

Interesting indeed ... it is a small world. I wonder where else I lives might be similar?

Raspal Seni link
10/27/2013 09:12:05 pm

I hope there aren't any deaths reported due to this storm, though there could be due to accidents. As Kama mentioned, some people are blessed and escape all kinds of such incidents or are away from such catastrophes when they happen. This is nothing but their previous good karma which is helping them.

Raspal Seni
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Francene Stanley link
10/28/2013 12:10:52 am

Two deaths so far from crashing trees. One a few miles from where I live. Half a million homes now without power. But the storm's passing.

Sophie Bowns link
10/27/2013 09:43:00 pm

I live in the North of England, so haven't been effected by this storm (yet) it is a bit of a worry though & I am following all the media coverage the best I can!

Francene Stanley link
10/28/2013 12:12:01 am

Stay safe, Sophie. Media coverage is all we have at the moment. Nobody should venture outsdie yet.

Amy link
10/27/2013 11:08:11 pm

Stay safe, my friend! Hopefully by tomorrow at this time the storm will have blown over? *hugs**

Francene Stanley link
10/28/2013 12:13:07 am

All that's left here is heavy rain now the storm has passed. Alternating with bright sunshine.

Suerae Stein link
10/28/2013 05:26:08 am

I'm so sorry to hear about the devastation of that storm, but I am glad that you are safe. Mother Nature can certainly wreak havoc and no place is an exception. I do hope that things can return to normal and that power can be restored quickly.

Francene Stanley link
10/28/2013 06:20:47 pm

Events like these remind us of our fragility.


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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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