VIDEO: ‘Frightening’ storm hits Worthing

Worthing Fire Station responded to 20 weather-related calls, ranging from collapsed roofing to uprooted trees.

Darren Wickings, watch commander at Worthing Fire Station, said: “It’s frightening what’s going on, it’s absolutely unbelievable.

“This is the worst I have known it since the great storm of 1987, the wind was very intense.

“We were prepared for it but the damage has still been phenomenal.”

A fire crew was called to the Kingsway Hotel, in Marine Parade, Worthing, at 4.30pm yesterday, after part of its roof was blown off.

Other damage included a large tree falling into a block of flats in Lansdowne Road, Worthing, and a collapsed house wall in Athelstan Road, Worthing.

Southern Rail services have been suspended due to storm damage.

Visit www.southernrailway.com for updates.

For the full report, see the Worthing Herald, Thursday, January 2.