News Story Secondary Research
To begin my deeper investigation into branching factors of my chosen story I will start with reviewing the obvious. A historical storm that happened back in 1987 which is what the newspapers are using in which to bring back bad memories to the public and cause worry and panic.
On the night of 15th-16th October 1987 a extratropical cycle hit both sides of the English Channel damaging both southern England and France areas causing extensive causalities and major damage.
The storm itself led to enhanced weather observation tools in ways in which computer models were improved, forecasters better trained and atmospheric observation taken more seriously. All this was due to BBCs Michael Fish reporting a false alarm on the storm indicating the storm wasn't as severe as it was. That days weather reports severely underrated the harshness of the storm.
Forests were destroyed, parks damaged, railways and roads disturbed with fallen trees and the National Grid was that heavily damaged it left thousands without power. Around 22 people were reported dead around England and France. A large amount for such a disaster in our country. Gusts of 122mph were noted in Gorleston, Norfolk.
The storm itself led to enhanced weather observation tools in ways in which computer models were improved, forecasters better trained and atmospheric observation taken more seriously. All this was due to BBCs Michael Fish reporting a false alarm on the storm indicating the storm wasn't as severe as it was. That days weather reports severely underrated the harshness of the storm.
An eye witness account from a boatman on sea explains the harsh realties of what was happening. Not through twitter, no Chinese whispers just pure fact reported in a serious manner. No humor, no sly remarks no blowing out of proportion:
"On the night in question we were at sea in the north Irish Sea bound for the Clyde under sail in a small Sail Training Vessel.
The shipping forecasts certainly warned that there was going to be an extraordinary weather event - at the time forecast to come in from the Western Approaches, sweep up the St George's Channel into the Irish Sea and hammer us with winds in excess of gale force and possibly approaching storm force.
We prepared with extreme care, eating a (last?) hearty meal, stowing and re-stowing the vessel, checking lifelines over and snuggling down to the minimum of storm canvas - which ,as there was not yet any wind of significance, meant that we were barely moving.
And we sat and sat and sat.
Clyde Coastguard kept calling us through the night to ask what was happening and we kept telling them we were fine.
In fact as the barometer made no significant change that night and the wind did not increase significantly - we ended the night with full light weather canvas set as we sailed slowly into the Clyde.
The morning shipping forecast followed by the news made it clear what had happened.
Comparing stories with other sail training organisations at our next winter conference was certainly interesting. A number of sister vessels were in the Channel Isles and spent the night at anchor motoring full ahead to take some strain off their chains.The weather did not swing up the St George's Channel but instead swung into the English Channel and then jumped ashore on the South Coast of England to wreak havoc.
One lucky windsurfer got snatched out the water as he was blown by one of them headed for the open sea.
Poor Michael Fish has always been lambasted and quoted out of context over that event but the truth is that the strength of the winds WAS forecast - but the direction was not correctly identified. Something that still happens.
Graeme Smith, USA ex-UK"
The aftermath caused over 2 billion points worth of damage in insurance claims, closed the stock market down for 2 days cutting all communications down to wall street creating the historical term "Black Monday". This was the day after the days of disruption were things opened again and the financial turmoils came to life. Wildlife was wiped out, parklands destroyed with over 15million trees been destroyed including wiping out hyde park in London. Boats were wrecked at sea and the MV Hengist a cross channel ferry was beached ashore and a bulk carrier down in Kent capsized.
After this insight into the event it made me look into weather disasters that happened in other countries. It provides an interesting comparison into the contrast of damage and devastation of these events.
Huricane Katrina. 2005.
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
230,000 people died over 14 countries.
Over $250billion of donations given from nations across the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/october/16/newsid_3174000/3174374.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Storm_of_1987
1833 people died.
$81.2billion damage.
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
230,000 people died over 14 countries.
Over $250billion of donations given from nations across the world.
Its interesting too see the difference. And how historically the storm of 1987 is so minor compared to all these yet made the headlines due to a BBC spokesman making a critical mistake. When Hurricane Katrina was professionally tracked, no details were missed out through forecasting yet such a high death toll came from it. Even with sufficient warnings and preparations. It just goes to show the sheer scale of the event compared to the storm of 87. But when will this class of storm end up on English shores?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/october/16/newsid_3174000/3174374.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Storm_of_1987
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