The Big Blow 1987

Hainault Forest

The great storm of 1987 was a violent extra tropical cyclone that occurred on the night of October 12th-13th 1987. It was the greatest gale for centuries causing havoc across the Southern half of Britain. With the highest gusts recorded at 120 mph, much damage was done with many trees blown down, causing many roads and rail lines to be closed. In Hainault Forest the gales blew down many trees, particularly the old Hornbeam pollards. Many hundreds lost limbs or suffered other damage. With over 800 trees damaged or blown down, the forest was a sorry sight! Again in January 1990 more gales wreaked further havoc, this time the Birch trees suffered the most, but fortunately it was much less than the carnage that had been wrought in the 1987 gale.

Written by P.L.Comber