The Burns Day Storm 1990

[Goweresque]

Its 30 years ago today (and tomorrow) that the Burns Day Storm hit the UK and Ireland. I have good reason to remember it, as it very nearly killed me, aged 18 at the time. A pole barn near the farmhouse was being ripped to shreds and my father and I went out to try and fix the end down to prevent it being lifted off and thrown straight into the farmhouse, as seemed likely. As we were working a sudden extra gust lifted the entire roof off and peeled it backwards. A 15x15' section of roof tins and rafters flew towards me, and I instinctively ducked and it passed over my head and landed behind me. I'm pretty sure looking at where I was standing and where it landed had I not ducked I'd have been cut in two by it.

Anyone else have any memories of the storm?

 

[Treecreeper]

I remember the day very well, the journey to work was interesting, power cables arcing out whilst fallen ones danced around sparking on the ground. The morning was spent watching trees being uprooted, the highlight was seeing the tea hut airborne for about 100m. Back home the sheep rack had to retrieved from the next field. Thankfully no structural damage. It did however provide some hazardous windthrow timber to cut for the next few weeks in those pre harvester days.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I remember it being on the news. Trees pulled down all over the country.

 

[Thick Farmer]

we lost a 75’x30’ roof from one of our cubicle sheds - the wind tore it off in one piece and stuffed it through the milking parlour roof!
Luckily, only one cow was killed and although another broke her jaw, she survived.
It was a bit of a challenge to rebuild it all in foul weather!