Gust at Shoreham during October 1987 great storm

[Ashley haworth-roberts]

The interesting recent Channel 5 UK Weather Disasters programme - slightly marred by (if I recall) meteorologist Laura Tobin suggesting the 115 mph gust there was equivalent strength to a 'category three' hurricane. Seeming confusing peak gusts with sustained speeds:  Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

[Graham Easterling]

That's one of my pet hates, I don't understand why they insist on doing it. On that basis hurricanes occur several times a year on the cliff tops of west Cornwall. Goretti did genuinelyreach category 1 hurricane.

Talking of which, buildings damaged in Goretti still keep falling dowm whenever there's a strongish gust. One of the latest Asda. To be honest the building is so hideous it's a shame any of it has survived. If we're really licky they'll decide to take the whole thing down.

Funny the way that modern buildings, built to modern building regs, have had all sorts of damage, yet the old granite places with properly installed slate roofs are mainly untouched. When they replaced the roof on Sennen lifeboat house with sheets of roofing, it only took a few years for it all to peel off.

Graham

Penzance