Dorset had a lucky escape as Storm Frank blew in yesterday.

Despite wind gusts of up to 51mph and predicted flooding along the coast, there were no major incidents.

One woman had to be freed from her car after a tree fell on it in Poole, but suffered only "slight injury" according to police.

Bournemouth Echo:

Both Bournemouth and Boscombe piers were closed by Bournemouth Council as water was driven up and over the railings.

In Sandbanks, Shore Road was flooded at high tide at 11am as 10ft high waves were blown furiously over the sea defence wall.
 

 

 

 

The designated cycle lane and pavement were under around 3ft of water as the waves battered cars parked along the road's edge.

Passing vehicles were forced to drive around sea debris, including driftwood and sand, that littered approximately 30m of the carriageway.

 While many took shelter from the biting winds, some residents refused a day indoors and walked their dogs along the peninsular.T

Three windsurfers even travelled all the way from London to seize the windy conditions.

Experienced windsurfers David Blakesley and Tom French drove to the bay at Banks Road with their friend Ollie Smith to take advantage of what they called "excellent weather".

Bournemouth Echo:

Ollie said: "Everyone else runs away from this. It's only about waist deep. The worst that happens is you walk back."

Tom added: "We saw the weather was excellent and just came down. I spent the summer teaching windsurfing in Greece so this is a bit of a shock."

 

Cars were forced to tackle the water at Studland to gain access to the chain ferry which was still in service despite the severe winds.

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture by Robin Boultwood, Swanage

Another incident of a fallen tree was reported in West Dorset during the morning.

The tree was found to have partly blocked the A353 through Osmington close to Chapel Lane. 

And in Portland, fire crews were called out to secure scaffolding on a property in Ventnor Road due to the high winds.

Firefighters were also called to a property in Cecil Road, Boscombe after tiles began falling from the roof. They arrived around 12.30pm to make the scene safe.