This is the hair-raising moment a man was knocked to the ground by a giant wave during yesterday’s violent storm.

A video shows the unidentified man, in a green jumper on Dover seafront, looking as if he has been tripped by a surge of seawater at his feet and falling to his side.

But fortunately the stunned victim is able to get up and walk away.

This was one of many dramatic incidents as Storm Ciaran raged through Kent yesterday.

The incident happened at about 1.30pm during high tide outside Rebels Coffee Shop.

Tim Smithen, owner of the Marine Parade business, filmed the startling scene.

He told KentOnline: “There were already people taking pictures of the storm and I joined in just when it happened to the poor guy.

“The wave that hit him was higher than my shop, which is 10ft.

“He then got up and walked around to the back of my shop to avoid being hit by any more waves.

“I went over to him and asked him if he was all right and he said yes.

“He wasn’t hurt but he was soaked and did seem a little embarrassed.”

He had been with a small group of friends, who were safely further away from the waves.

Rebels Coffee had been closed during the storm but Mr Smithen had turned up to place sandbags as the storm had caused water to come in.

The waves had struck the building a few times and damaged the fascia.

This was one of many frightening incidents during the storm .

Within a couple of hours, just a few hundred yards away, father-of-five John Bain had to be pulled over railings to safety when a wave almost knocked him off his feet.

Mr Bain, who cannot swim, had walked on steps on the other side of the promenade and he afterwards warned others not to take chances with the storm.

Meanwhile two children were almost swept off a promenade in Folkestone.

Storm Ciaran, with 85mph winds, had caused havoc around Kent, including knocking power out of about 6,000 homes.