I remember waking up to the howling of the wind hitting my double sash living room window, scared to death it was going to cave in. Saw a big flash in the distance and then no electricity at around 2am. Luckily I've got gas and had candles so was not in the dark and without coffee. Didn't have any batteries though, so couldn't switch on to find out what the hell was happening (missed the forecasts)
Next morning went to work and gradually saw devastation everywhere, when I got to the main street it was very bizarre, no traffic and shop dummies in the road, plate glass windows caved in, roof tiles everywhere and all the other stuff that had blown around like dustbin lids.
We couldn't work as no electricity and spent the rest of the morning trying to get someone to tarpauline the roof. Most of my staff couldn't get in anyway as they lived out of town and the roads were blocked.
Glad I didn't have an allotment then, my next door allotment neighbour said during the worst of the wind she heard a terrible crashing and her 8 x 6' aluminium greenhouse disappeared and was never seen again!
Sue