<Tr> <Td> Fatalities: </Td> <Td> 22 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Damage: </Td> <Td> UK: £ 2 billion (£ 5.073 billion today) France: 23 billion francs (£ 7.027 billion today) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Great Storm of 1987 was a violent extratropical cyclone that occurred on the night of 15--16 October, with hurricane - force winds causing casualties in England, France and the Channel Islands as a severe depression in the Bay of Biscay moved northeast . Among the most damaged areas were Greater London, the East Anglian coast, the Home Counties, the west of Brittany and the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy which weathered gusts typically with a return period of 1 in 200 years . </P> <P> Forests, parks, roads and railways were strewn with fallen trees as well as schools being closed . The British National Grid suffered heavy damage, leaving thousands without power . At least 22 people were killed in England and France . The highest measured gust of 117 kn (217 km / h; 135 mph) was recorded at Pointe Du Roc, Granville, France and the highest gust in the U.K. of 100 kn (190 km / h; 120 mph) was recorded at Shoreham - by - Sea . </P>

Has the uk been hit by a hurricane