IT was the Valentine’s Day gift that no-one wanted.
Today marks two years since gale-force winds made some parts of Hampshire look like a war zone, causing more than a £1million of damage.
Rocks crashed through The Marine at Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, and a huge tidal surge engulfed the ground floor.
In total more than 30 people were rescued from the restaurant by firefighters, soldiers and coastguards.
They formed a human chain as staff and diners waded through the flooded venue, which was plunged into darkness by a power cut.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue received more than 230 emergency calls and attended more than 110 incidents, while trees fell down and left 180,000 homes without power.
But romance was not to be denied, and The Marine was fully booked for Valentine’s Day in 2015.
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