STORMS: FAMILY'S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE

5:49am Tuesday 11th March 2008

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A MUM and her three daughters had a miraculous escape when the top of their house was blown apart' by a lightning strike in Monday's storms.

The whole of the top floor and the roof of the property in Guest Road, Upton, Poole, was destroyed.

"the worst lightning strike I have ever seen"

Dorset Fire Service

Two of the girls were upstairs at the time and one sustained minor leg injuries.

Neighbours described hearing an incredible bang' and a fire officer said it was: 'the worst lightning strike he had ever seen'.

Elsewhere trees were blown down across Dorset as violent winds swept across the county this morning.

Dorset Police said they had been kept busy by reports of trees down across down across the county from around 2.30am.

Meanwhile, thrill-seekers were being warned to keep well away from the coastline as the remants of overnight "violent storm force 11" winds rattled the South.

The Environment Agency on Sunday gave flood warnings for low-lying areas.

Areas particularly exposed are the Quomps, Mudeford Quay, Stanpit and Wick, at Christchurch.

Flood warnings have also been given at Wareham, Weymouth and West Bay in Dorset and Hythe, Marchwood and Eling in the eastern New Forest. Poole Harbour is on flood watch as is the Solent coast from Milford to Calshot.

The wind this morning was expected to measure just one notch below Hurricane strength - Force 12 on the Beaufort Scale - bringing thunder, lightning, rain and hail.

Andy Jenkins, watch manager at Portland Coastguard said: "We would advise people not to put to sea over this period because the risk of accident is quite high. And the public do enjoy big waves."

He urged people to be "extremely careful" about going to the coast, and to stay away in particular from rocky outcrops or rock groynes like those at Hengistbury Head or Highcliffe beach.

All was quiet with Coastguards at 5am today, with commercial shipping moving carefully along the Solent.

There were also delays from flooding on Sandbanks Road nearer to Poole town centre, near the junction with Whitecliff Road.

Click here to watch footage of the flooding at Sandbanks

The pedestrian underpass under the railway lines at Park Lane Road, behind Poole Park, was also practically impassable.

In Bournemouth, the entry slip road to the A338 westbound at Blackwater Junction was partially blocked by a fallen tree.

Poole Bridge was raised at midday to prevent people using the flooded West Quay Road approach.

It will remain up while the road is difficult to pass and people are advised to avoid the area.

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