Essex was battered by torrential winds and mini tornadoes which left businesses flooded and homes damaged as trees crashed down.
Two people were also left stranded when their boat ran aground on the south side of the Hadleigh Ray in heavy gales yesterday.
The Southend lifeboat was launched at 1pm and battled through winds blowing between force five and seven to reach the 28ft motor vessel.
Devastation - Dee Sullivan, of Kirby Cross, next to the remains of her garage, which was destroyed by the mini tornado Picture: TERRY WEEDEN
The two people were taken to Southend Pier and the lifeboat then returned to tow the stricken boat to a safe mooring.
Later in the afternoon the lifeboat was called out to help four people who were in difficulties on a boat at Tewkes Creek, near Canvey.
Coastguards found everyone safe and left them on board to refloat on the tide.
Mini tornadoes struck Tiptree and the Tendring coast and left a trail of devastation in their wake exactly 15 years to the day since the Great Storm.
Dee Sullivan was trapped in her home at Kirby Cross yesterday as her garage collapsed on her car, blocking the door to her bungalow.
Firefighters were called to a number of incidents in Tiptree yesterday, including a row of trees which had been blown over in Church Road.
The mini-tornado also caused damage to a house in nearby Grove Road, which was struck by a falling tree.
Published Wednesday October 16, 2002
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