Storm Dudley: ‘Windswept battlefield’ - Londoners share damage after windy night

High winds from Storm Dudley wreaked havoc across the capital last night.

Gusts of up to 80mph battered the north of England but London still felt the force of the storm.

Trees were torn down, signs ripped off shops and TV aerials sent flying.

It comes ahead of intense weather warnings before Storm Eunice hits on Friday, with people urged not to travel and to rearrange journeys if possible.

One eyewitness shared a photo of an Excel Property management company sign lying on the ground in front of the business, in North Finchley.

Twitter user Martin Sorenson said: “Storm Dudley, what have you done to Finchley Road, NW3?”

While another Londoner shared a photo of her wheelie bins knocked over in south London.

Joanna Mont joked on Twitter: “Streatham is a windswept battlefield.

“The wheelie bins have resorted to marching in Roman legion formations, and we’re already two comrades down before midnight.”

And Twitter user @CrikeyCroydon posted a photo of a tree ripped out in the borough.

They said: “So, Storm Dudley didn’t hit us hard last night, but it did hit.

“Ferndale Road, South Norwood, this morning.”

The tree’s roots were exposed and the branches were fully blocking the pavement.

Others shared how the high winds had knocked down aerials, torn fences over and sent garden trampolines “flapping” in the extreme weather.

Twitter user @OddWallMusic wrote: “The wind has blown my fence down.”

While @Orkehstrah said: “The wind was wild last night.

“It knocked the big metal aerial off my roof… surprised it didn’t go through my front room window.

“It’s there laying on my lawn.”

And Ellie Lexie shared: “Wondering how to pin down the 8ft trampoline that’s currently flapping about in the back garden…

“Or perhaps it’s best to let it fly off into the wind to find a new life.”

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning, including threats to life, ahead of Storm Eunice which is set to batter Wales and the South West of England on Friday.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has also said: “Due to the Met Office warning of strong winds on Friday across London, it is likely that we will have to close our parks for safety reasons for the day.”