A tempest overnight, apparently with gusts over 94 mph. Tree in back garden uprooted, 4 sections of fence missing, trees and walls and fences blown over everywhere. Went for a walk about 8.15 to check the route to school, which was flooded, so had a fag on the playground to make up for the usual visit to the car park. As things seemed to be abating by 10.30 I drove up to school to see what was occurring. Met the headmaster who said he'd phoned local radio to tell 'em school was closed (only 15 people turned up): an apple tree's fallen on the 6th form clubhouse too.

'This month will be remembered ... for the "Great Storm", the so-called hurricane of the night of the 15-16th and the morning of the 16th' [...]