Thousands were left stranded, flooded or without power yesterday as 95mph hailstorms lashed Britain. (Daily Mail Tuesday 11th March 2008)
Amid widespread travel chaos, more than 10,000 families were plunged into darkness when trees crashed through power lines.
Homes in Wales, Cornwall and Devon were deluged.
Emergency services were at full stretch for the "perfect storm" - a combination of gale force winds and the high spring tide.
Winds reached 82mph at Berry Head in Brixham, Devon, between 3am and 5am and peaked at 95mph at The Needles on the Isle of Wight at 1pm.
Despite structural damage, organisers of the Cheltenham Festival said the racecourse was undamaged and promised events would begin today as planned. Last night, Britain braced itself for more misery as forecasters predicted there could be more severe gales on the way. The whole of England could once again face winds of up to 80mph and disruption is set to continue on railways and roads.