On the night of 22 November 1824, a devastating storm struck England’s south coast and raged for two days.
Winds reached hurricane force causing widespread damage. Houses were flooded, whole villages destroyed, ships lost at sea and nearly 100 people killed.
200 years later, The Great Gale is being remembered across the south of England and used by the Environment Agency to warn of the perils of extreme weather.Those who survived the terrifying night of 22-23 November included James Simmons, keeper of the Eddystone Lighthouse off Rame Head.He said: "The sea was tremendous and broke with such violence on the top and round the building, as to demolish, in an instant, five panes of the lantern glass.
The painting, which has become symbolic of the storm, was recently restored to its former glory to show the raging sea to full effect. "The sea and the night sky merge, creating an oppressive darkness with only a small burst of light visible above the surging waves."The Environment Agency is using the anniversary of The Great Gale to raise awareness of extreme weather and flooding.
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