Biggest storm of the year sweeps Britain off its feet

[luke]

Biggest storm of the year sweeps Britain off its feet with flooding, gales and lightning strikes

Rearing up with awe-inspiring power, the vast wave threatens to engulf a row of seaside houses.

Thankfully, the residents of Porthleven in Cornwall came off unscathed from their brush with Nature's fury yesterday.

Those elsewhere in the country, however, were not so lucky.


The moment a giant wave swamps the 60ft sea wall at Porthleven in west Cornwall. An onlooker said it was the biggest wave he'd seen in Cornwall in more than 40 years


The massive waves explodes off the wall with thousands of tons of sea water blasting high into the air

Tornados, gales of up to 100mph, torrential rain and flooding brought parts of Britain to a standstill over the weekend.

More than 50 homes were damaged by rising water, the Environment Agency reported.

In Dorset several people, including a pregnant woman, were rescued after their car was engulfed by floodwater in Whitchurch Canonicorum, near Bridport.

More than 60 homes were damaged when a tornado swept through Benfleet in Essex, lifting roofs and damaging cars.


Taking off: Storm-force winds lift this man off the ground in Dorset


Old Harry Rocks on the Isle of Purbeck seen from Sandbanks near Poole, Dorset, where hurricane force gales buffeted the coast

Some, of course, were determined to see the strong winds as an excuse for larking around - using them to literally sweep themselves off their feet.

Last night forecasters warned that further stormy weather and possible flooding was on the way, with gusts of up to 60mph.

Nigel Bolton, of the Met Office, said: 'It's going to remain very unsettled over the next few days. The winds won't be as strong as over the weekend but we are expecting a lot of rain, especially in the West.

'It's going to be typical autumn unsettled weather for the rest if the week.' Matthew Dobson, of forecasters Meteogroup, said: 'We expect to see quite a lot of wet weather in the North and West areas, which could lead to flooding.

'It is looking like there will be strong winds of 50 to 60mph across the North and West.'

But he said that despite the rain and wind, temperatures would remain mild.

The Environment Agency has five flood warnings in force and dealt with nearly 5,000 calls to its helpline over the weekend.

A spokeswoman said: 'We are over the worst for coastal communities this weekend.

'High winds, strong gusts and squally rain are expected to have passed through southern England by this evening. Calmer weather is forecast for later today and tomorrow. Tomorrow is expected to see light scattered showers generally.'

The wild weather forced the cancellation of the fireworks finale to the Lord Mayor's Parade in London for the first time in more than 20 years.

Further flood warnings may be triggered later this week.

Workers from the agency were last night carrying out inspections of waterways, clearing drains and checking flood defences.

Bulldozers moved in to shore up shingle banks in Medmerry, West Sussex, to protect properties from sea flooding, while floodgates were closed at Lymington in Hampshire and Christchurch, Dorset.

Several railway services were disrupted over the weekend as rock slides brought mud and stones on to the tracks.

The strongest winds were recorded at Needles on the Isle of Wight, where gusts hit 100mph.


A lone walker gets soaking wet , caught in the sea spray off the Dawlish sea wall in Devon as storm weather hits the south coast


Spectacular weather conditions blow these waves, dwarfing this lighthouse in Porthcawl

from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227958/Biggest-storm-year-sweeps-Britain-feet-flooding-gales-lightning-strikes.html

[faceless]

the wave in that first pic is SCARYFUCKINHELL!

blimey.

the guy flying is a cracker too

[SpursFan1902]

Those are some amazing photos. It looks really cold on top of being really windy and wet. Not a good combo to my way of thinking. Mother Nature can really put on a show when she wants to.

[luke]

its not really been that cold actually, although to someone living in the sunshine state it might be a bit of a shock!

[minterdan]

[SpursFan1902]

Insane! Some folks just have too much time on their hands!

[Skylace]

I'm with you Spurs!

[SpursFan1902]

[faceless]

hold up, those kite surfers are world class heroes! That's one of the coolest stunts I've ever seen... I think I'd be able to resist the urge to try it myself though... haha

[luke]

[SpursFan1902]

That would definately make it an inside day for me...with the heat on!

[luke]

you wouldn't leave the house for half the year in this country!

[SpursFan1902]

Probably not. I think that is one of the biggest reasons I don't live there. I am a cold weather wuss for sure!!

[Skylace]

We're the same temp luke, poor Spurs, that Florida living has made you soft!

[SpursFan1902]

And soft I will happily stay....warm too! I don't mind when it is a holiday and I know I am coming back to warmth, but I don't think I could live in it again....unless the pay check was HUGE!!! tee hee.....