Trail of destruction left by Storm Katie’s 70mph gales
People across Kent woke up to a trail of destruction on Easter Monday as Storm Katie raged across large parts of the country.
Homes and business were battered by 70mph gales throughout the night and into the morning, with dozens of huge trees falling on to major routes and at least one car.
Firefighters rescued two men and a woman from a boat which had broken away from its mooring on the River Medway at Tonbridge.
In Hawkhurst, metal sheeting was blown from the roof of Highgate Service Station and fire crews made the structure safe while others were called to properties in Gallants Lane, East Farleigh, and Bambridge Court, Maidstone, where roof tiles were tumbling on to footpaths, and to Sundridge Hill, Cuxton, where a trampoline had blown into the road.
In Tonbridge, Leanne Hall woke to find another trampoline had blown into her garden from a house in a different road, while a tree had also fallen into her garden, knocking over her rabbit hutch.
Several trees fell on Three Elm Lane, off Hadlow Road, near Tonbridge, at Seven Mile Lane and in Dunn Street Road, Boxley, where drivers had to cut across a field to continue their journeys.
In Tunbridge Wells, one devastated motorist woke to find their Audi A4 had been crushed by a tree, while one bemused bus user found his service somewhat disrupted when a tree fell, blocking Pembury Road.
Train passengers negotiated lengthy delays on an already reduced bank holiday service.
A massive tree fell in Maidstone’s Brenchley Gardens, while on Tonbridge Road Tesco Express needed some attention after winds ripped part of the roof off.
Tourist destinations were also affected, with Leeds Castle having to close parts of the grounds and some attractions, including the Easter Quest, while Ightham Mote was forced to shut its play area for safety reasons.