Thousands of homes and businesses suffered severe power cuts as unseasonal storms struck the region.
Making a splash - Cars negotiate the bad weather
Electricity giant EDF said 6,000 homes in Essex were left without power as high winds and heavy rain lashed the county yesterda
They were forced to put emergency plans into operation as overhead power lines were knocked out.
Today repairs were still being carried out to restore electricity to more than 3,000 homes.
More than 37mm of rain an inch and a half fell yesterday, the wettest day since October 2000, according to Evening Gazette weatherman Terry Mayes.
Temperatures only managed to reach 20C (68F) compared with temperatures that were edging the 30 mark last July.
Tendring escaped the worst of the power problems despite being battered by force seven winds which gusted to gale force eight.
Incidents involving shipping were confined to the Kent area, according to Thames Coastguard headquarters at Walton, where a few boats had broken their moorings.
Published Thursday July 8, 2004
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