Not a breath of wind here and light rain ....amazing 

Indeed it was very wild

Positives

Impressive advanced modelling on track especially ECM and laterly HIRLAM/NAE (eventually)
Correct decision IMO for advanced train cancellations - 24 trees on line in SW Trains region alone, three of which were hit by dummy runs earlier.
Correct level of advanced warnings from MetO and very well handled by them IMO
No widespread damage as earlier predicted
Near on perfect max gust modeling - 99mph at The Needles, although inland gust slower than modeled
The IOW Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry continued to run through the night in a Violent Storm 11 - impressive
Behaviour on this forum generally sensible and objective which is a credit to the members here.

Negatives

Almost nauseating at times media coverage, especially from Sky, in the run up to the storm. Way over the top IMO
Intensity less than expected probably due to unsychronised phasing with left jet entrance zone. Proabbly prevented a more severe event so not really a negative.
At times laughable behaviour from other forums - very hard work for moderators.


So, next?

Bang on and if not cancellled many people may have been killed.

On this, this thread has been a haven of sense and intelligence compared to The Other Place, which has been ridiculous at times.

Less powerful than predicted, and certainly overhyped by newspapers in search of a headline, but still 99mph reported at the Needles, and, sadly, a teenager swept to his death of Newhaven beach. Two lots of minor injuries where trees fell on/in front of moving cars (a taxi and a police car).

Network Rail not running trains in the South East until they've cleared the fallen trees, estimated 40 down on the Southern network (basically Sussex) and 26 on Southwest (basically Hampshire). I can understand a grump from Wareham about a non-event - listening to local radio the greatest damage seems to have been to East Hampshire, around Petersfield, and Sussex, around Lewes (and possibly Kent, too, but I can't pick up Radio Kent)

Royal Met Society expert saying that this was a once in 5 to 10 year storm for southern England -sounds about right to me

Heavy rain here in the early hours with little or no wind, 17mms.

Of course no strong winds were expected here anyway apart from the rain.

So, can I relax now? I have to say it was one very noteable wind event! Especially that squally bit at 6.30 am, that was frightening.
  Not exactly on a par with the Great Gale of October '87 but the number of fallen trees and walls around here is a testimony to how signficant this event was.

I hope that's our lot for this Autumn as this sense of normality returns to things.

Thanks for your great posts Neil and GTW for starting it all off its been great and some really good links for all of us to use.

As a train driver, I have to say that the companies (mine included) reacted with appropriate prudence. We don't have the luxury of street lights to show us what is ahead, merely headlights which, if rounding a bend or either exiting or entering a tunnel don't give a whole lot of time for reaction at line speed. Some of those trees which have come down across tracks are substantial, and I for one don't want to end up mangled in any of that stuff. Yes its annoying, for me too..most of us do want to provide a good service, but the railway is built around safety, and regardless of the complaints that is what I and my colleagues will count as a priority. I have in my career hit a tree. I can assure you it is no fun and can really spoil your day!

We had a fair bit of rain not much wind thank goodness

I take no notice of the media

I back all the precautions taken regardless

We can't predict what exactly will happen with these kind of weather events.

As someone pointed out, it's not an exact science

Glad it is over the worst even though only a high wind of 19.4 km/h. At 01:19....