RUMCars Forum

General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: richard on October 27, 2013, 01:13:20 PM

Title: Hatches battened down
Post by: richard on October 27, 2013, 01:13:20 PM
with the forecast for overnight for " the storm of the century " i have been out and fastened the wheels back on the Gordon , taken it off the trailer and pushed it round to put it back in the garage . much neglected both car and garage . it was just too vulnerable up on axle stands with an oversize tarpaulin badly fitted . we are forecast to be on the outer limits of the storm but everyone seems to be out securing fencing , roofs , plants pots etc. etc.
i do hope those further south are being cautious - especially Gordon owners still in Dorset !  ;)  
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Bob Purton on October 27, 2013, 05:30:52 PM
Yes, I just put our dustbin in the garage as I dare say it would be over in next doors garden by the morning!
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: richard on October 27, 2013, 06:04:08 PM
hope it's not with your workshop roof  :)
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: NickPoll on October 27, 2013, 08:14:41 PM
What storm ?              Nick in S.W. France       
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: richard on October 27, 2013, 08:29:15 PM
the one i think you might hear about in N.W. France  ;) midnight onwards they're talking of
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Chris Thomas on October 27, 2013, 09:34:09 PM
Dear panick stricken friends.

The storm will be severe but not as severe as 1987, for two reasons, firstly the predicted wind speeds are not as high as 1987 but also the trees have mostly lost their leaves, and so the number of trees blown over should be less. True the ground is saturated by all the rain we have had, but it was the trees in full leaf that was a major factor in them being blown over.

The track of the storm is further north than 1987 and will affect more towns and cities.

Wind is not discresionary. If there is a weakness in a fixing, or the weight to surface area ratio is unable to resist the wind uplift suction force, then what ever it is will be blown away, and may do secondary damage, like a chimney pot bouncing down the roof and landing on your car. Cars in garages are no safer than those standing outside, as the light roofs over garages have been known to colapse inwards.

The people who were killed by the 1987 storm were all tree related incidents.

I have made a living for the last 25 years fom the effects of wind so, I have cleared my diary and if it is anything like 1987, I should be a busy boy.

Chris Thomas
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Bob Purton on October 27, 2013, 11:05:30 PM
"I have made a living for the last 25 years from the effects of wind"
There is a joke there somewhere involving an air freshener salesman! :D
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Rob Dobie on October 27, 2013, 11:39:14 PM
All the trees around me in East Sussex still have their leaves on. Have to see if they are nude in the morning.
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: richard on October 28, 2013, 06:53:56 AM
Well nothing happened at all so far in NW England and we were forecast an inch of rain over night .
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Rob Dobie on October 28, 2013, 08:29:09 AM
Trees still have leaves. The birds are able to fly safely. But, commuters are staying away. Only three cars parked on the road outside my house, usually there's 30. Oh, and the sun is shining. I think I'll go cut the lawn.  ;D
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Bob Purton on October 28, 2013, 09:25:55 AM
Well that wasn't so bad! Here in Essex the leaves are still on the trees like yesterday, I slept right through it but did wake up to one broken fence panel. Two questions spring to mind, who let Michael Fish out of the old folks home to make the wrong prediction, and why have all the trees around Chris's way lost there leaves before everywhere else? :D  Seems like a storm in a teacup unless we just got off lightly locally.

Just heard a girl was killed by a tree in Edenbridge , not far from Chris so obviously some had it far worse than others.
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: marcus on October 28, 2013, 10:15:30 AM
I am down in Strood with Squeak, got woken up by wind noise and car alarms a few times last night. Parts of her fence have been knocked over but not too bad. We weighed her fabric "green house" down with bricks and theyhave shifted quite a bit but did hold it down. Blue sky and sun now.
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Chris Thomas on October 28, 2013, 10:20:31 AM
Dear Bob

In answer to your question, Being on the top of the north downs, it is a few degrees colder here, so we loose our leaves a little earlier than down in the valley. My postman has seen three trees blocking the roads up here, which is nothing compared with 1987.

Mentioning wind engineering, or the effects of wind, or making a living from wind, always raises a smile.

Keep smiling

Chris Thomas
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Bob Purton on October 28, 2013, 10:31:15 AM
Ah that explains it Chris. We are sheltered here in suburbia. We have two large trees in the street outside which if were to fall our way would certainly squash our bungalow. Its always a concern on a stormy day. I trust all is well at Editor HQ?
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: marcus on October 28, 2013, 10:49:51 AM
I remember the tornado which devastated our street in Montevideo when I was about 5, now that's what I call a storm!
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Jean on October 28, 2013, 01:19:48 PM
School House Farm has not suffered too much.  Some fencing in the horses field has blown down but more worrying a large tree down the lane which our outbuildings back on to has come down and is at the moment precariously lodged on a smaller tree.  Had this not happened if would have crashed into the Bubble  Shed roof.  As it is at the moment only some of the branches are lying on our roof. Like Bob our trees still have their leaves especially the oaks and there are several oaks down this little lane, so no more high winds please  The owner of the tree is uncooperative so we are awaiting the arrival of our own man to do a little remedial work, with branches out of the way we shall be able to see if our roof is OK.  Once Michael and Jamie have fixed the fencing, the Cook's are off to Somerset for the rest of the half term. Keep your fingers crossed for me.Trees are beautiful until they keel over and uproot!  Jean
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: richard on October 28, 2013, 01:30:23 PM
North Downs ? We're oop North properly here and spent last week further up still. And everything pretty much in full leaf still ! Best wishes to you and yours Jean
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: richard on November 03, 2013, 08:21:31 AM
Well without any noticeable forecast we are in the middle of the worst gales and rain I think we have EVER experienced . I have no idea of the area it is affecting , but huge I imagine it's been raging over 12 hours now

spelling corrected thanks bob  ;) can't see a thing on that blackberry   :)
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: marcus on November 03, 2013, 08:32:19 AM
Yesterday and today fairly blustery here in Saaaarf Eeeeeess Lunnon, cool, blue skies and sun.
Title: Re: Hatches battened down
Post by: Bob Purton on November 03, 2013, 10:08:16 AM
Things must be bad, the HM himself has started to make spelling mistakes! ;D

Glorious sunny morning here in Essex.

Nice for the Brighton run.