Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
force south to south-westerly winds blew across the south-east to give record wind speeds
for many locations (Figure 1). For most of Kent, Sussex and the coastal areas of Essex
and Suffolk the highest gusts were of a speed likely to be exceeded once in 200 years.
Even in the built-up area around the London Weather Centre a gust speed of eighty-two
knots was recorded, compared with the previous maximum gust of only fifty-seven knots.
Heavy rain fell in association with the storm but, unlike the wind speeds, it was not
noteworthy.
Wind speeds of this force sweeping across a densely populated and wooded area are
likely to have a dramatic effect, and this storm was no exception. More trees were lost in
one night than in a decade of Dutch elm disease; parkland areas were
Figure 1 Highest reported gusts (knots) over southern England and
the near continent, 16 October 1987.
Source: Based mainly on anemograph data and Weather (1988).
devastated, forests flattened and many urban trees blown down to block roads. In East
Sussex it was estimated that almost 25 per cent of the original standing volume of timber
was blown down. In Brittany about 20 per cent of the whole forest area was reported to
have been destroyed. In general, conifers appeared more vulnerable to being blown down
than deciduous trees, woodland trees were more vulnerable than isolated trees and
individual urban trees were more vulnerable than rural trees. Urban trees rarely fell in the
direction of the nearest building, perhaps reflecting channelling within the street.
Ironically the clearance of trees from many areas has resulted in a resurgence of ground
vegetation as increased levels of light and greater nutrient availability from decaying
vegetation have changed the local ecosystem.
As well as causing devastation to trees, the storm had an impact on transport, as many
trees blocked roads and rail tracks, waves caused major problems along the coast and at
sea and more than a hundred flights were cancelled from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
Power lines are
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