Discuss the impacts of a storm event you have studied.

In 1987, just under 30 years ago, The Great Storm hit the south of the UK and north of France. It was caused by a depression originating in the Bay of Bengal as westerly North Atlantic wet warm winds met cooler and drier polar winds. The polar jet stream was further south than usual, meaning the depression affected the more densely populated south of the UK and France rather than the more commonly affected North. Pressures reached as low as 951mb and wind speeds reached as fast as 196km/hr, with such a steep pressure gradient.

Social impacts of the storm included 18 people fatalities in the UK, and 4 in France, this would have been much higher had the storm not hit in the early hours of the morning around 5am, when most people were still in bed. Furthermore, 1000 schools were closed in Kent and Suffolk alone. Thousands of homes lost connection, and historic buildings and landmarks were damaged, such as the Shankelin pier in the Isle of White.

In addition to this, economic impacts included £1.4 billion worth of insurance claims, and disturbance to the trade and the stock market. Transport links were disrupted e.g. the M25 and M23 which were both shut, and all roads in Hampshire were closed off, furthermore, Gatwick airport was shut due to power losses.

Lastly, the environmental impacts included 1.5 million trees fallen, meaning many habitats were destroyed for wild life. In addition to this, the London Butterfly Museum was destroyed by a fallen tree, meaning hundreds of very rare butterflies and other insects escaped. However, the fallen trees did create new habitats for some rarer types of beetle, and enabled more light to reach woodlands areas, meaning more wild flowers and butterflies could inhabit the area.