Storms hit Blackpool (we all like to be beside the seaside...)

Gale force waves batter the coast this morning...a mile from where we live...

Well, the weathermen did warn us to brace ourselves....but we never expected the storms to be so severe. The dreadful storms and gales hit the UK today, with trains & buses cancelled/delayed, people seriously injured and even killed all over the UK on country lanes through to the motorways.


We were warned that it would be particulary bad on the coast with gales of 80mph, but I never expected this devestation...



As featured in our local rag, the Evening Gazette, tonight:

"BLACKPOOL became a virtual a no-go zone today after storms battered the Fylde.

Roofs were ripped off, walls torn down and many roads closed as gale force winds ripped along the coast.
Some residents have had to be evacuated and Blackpool Victoria Hospital confirmed a number of people had been admitted for a range of injuries including broken bones.
The trail of destruction centred around Blackpool.
Palatine High School, South Shore (this is half a mile from where Darren and I live), was forced to close after its roof was ripped off.
The neighbouring library and sports centre were among scores of buildings badly damaged.
Many main roads were forced to close as fears grew over safety.
By 2pm council chiefs were advising people not to travel into town unless their journey was absolutely necessary.
The motorways did not escape with the M6 closed northbound between junctions 32 and 33.
The high winds are not expected to die down until around midnight tonight.
Damage reported so far includes:
* Squires Gate Post Office, Squires Gate Lane, where the gable end collapsed.
* A tree was blown down at the junction Lodge Lane/Preston Old Road. Has blocked road and crushed a wall.
* Kwik-Fit Tyres depot, Dickson Road, was closed due to damaged panel and reporting roof lifting in the wind.
* A tree on East Park Drive hit two parked cars opposite the Zoo entrance.
* A parked light aircraft at Blackpool Airport was blown by wind into parked cars.
* A 20ft high wall was blown down at Currys on Blackpool Retail Park, Squires Gate Lane.
Residents at Harrison Street in central Blackpool were evacuated from their homes after they were deemed unsafe.
Council staff have taken them to Blackpool Sports Centre."