Storm Imogen

The big storm reached the South and the Channel as predicted and has lasted most of the day with the wind still gusting this evening.

Prior to the main event though we were visited by what I can only describe as a mini tornado as at around 11PM last night a huge squall of surging wind and rain came from nowhere removing several ridge tiles from the roof of the house with a loud crash.
 Inspecting the damage as it became light several houses in the area could be seen to have suffered the same fate with one or two having many roof tiles missing. So now it will be  a case of trying to get through to the Insurance company who are probably rather busy.
Living at the top of a hill we are used to this sort of thing happening and feel it's better than being flooded.

The gales lasted all day with a 100mph gust recorded at The Needles. I believe there were huge waves on the South coast of the Island but had no intention of chancing the roads and fallen debris. I did manage to get down to the Esplanade though where even the normally calm water behind the breakwater was in a seething frenzy. Struggling to take a few shots whilst almost being blown over and covered in spray I quickly retreated back to the warmth of the house.