Britain braced for St Jude, worst storm in decades

Hurricane-force winds are forecast to disrupt road, rail and airport networks today as one of the strongest storms in decades is set to hit the southern half of Britain during rush-hour.

Dubbed “St Jude”, after the patron saint of lost causes who is traditionally celebrated on Oct 28, comparisons were being made yesterday to 1987 when a storm killed 18 people in Britain and felled some 15 million trees.

The storm was expected to bring 80 mph winds and heavy rain to Britain. The strongest winds could affect commuter routes north of London and across the central region, the Met Office said.