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Tornado hits Chertsey as England remains on weather alert Tornado hits Chertsey as England remains on weather alert
(about 1 hour later)
A tornado has hit Surrey as more than 90 flood warnings remain in place across southern and eastern England, the Midlands and Yorkshire.A tornado has hit Surrey as more than 90 flood warnings remain in place across southern and eastern England, the Midlands and Yorkshire.
Homes and cars have been damaged in the Chertsey area, fire crews said. One Chertsey resident said it blew the roof off her conservatory. Firefighters said homes and cars were also damaged.
It comes after days of heavy rain with more downpours expected, prompting a severe warning across southern England until noon on Sunday. More downpours are expected with 30mm of rain forecast, prompting a severe warning across southern England until noon on Sunday.
Some 96 flood warnings and 232 flood alerts are in place.
Motorists embarking on the Christmas getaway are being advised to check their routes in advance.Motorists embarking on the Christmas getaway are being advised to check their routes in advance.
Up to 30mm of rain is forecast during the warning period. The Met Office confirmed a tornado had struck the Chertsey area.
Some 96 flood warnings were in place on Saturday afternoon and 232 flood alerts. Crews were called at about 10:30 GMT "to a high wind incident affecting a number of houses in the Chertsey area," Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement.
The Met Office also said a the tornado had struck the Chertsey area.
Crews were called at about 10:30 GMT, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said.
"We were called to a high wind incident affecting a number of houses in the Chertsey area," the service said in a statement.
Four fire engines and two aerial ladders were sent and they worked to "make houses safe from damage to roofs".Four fire engines and two aerial ladders were sent and they worked to "make houses safe from damage to roofs".
Surrey Police also confirmed they attended the scene to "ensure the public's safety". Chertsey resident Verity Boultwood said the tornado blew the roof off her conservatory.
"In the past it has withstood bad weather. Luckily nobody was hurt and my partner has managed to fix it.
"One of my neighbours has smashed windows. Trampolines have flown across the gardens here."
The tornado strike came after roads were flooded and rail lines blocked. The M23 was closed between junctions 10 and 11 in both directions in West Sussex, but has now reopened.The tornado strike came after roads were flooded and rail lines blocked. The M23 was closed between junctions 10 and 11 in both directions in West Sussex, but has now reopened.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "Because it's been so very wet across the south this extra rain falling on to saturated ground could cause some further problems, so there is a weather warning in force scooting along southern counties during Saturday evening."Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "Because it's been so very wet across the south this extra rain falling on to saturated ground could cause some further problems, so there is a weather warning in force scooting along southern counties during Saturday evening."
Mr Deakin said the rain was coming from a "fairly angry weather system" which would also bring some "very strong winds".Mr Deakin said the rain was coming from a "fairly angry weather system" which would also bring some "very strong winds".
Ian Nunn, from the Environment Agency, said weather in the south of England was expected to get worse overnight.Ian Nunn, from the Environment Agency, said weather in the south of England was expected to get worse overnight.
"Today we've got a relatively dry period, but we've got more rain coming tonight, possibly up to another 20mm, so although the situation is getting better today, we are going to see it getting worse overnight and into tomorrow morning."Today we've got a relatively dry period, but we've got more rain coming tonight, possibly up to another 20mm, so although the situation is getting better today, we are going to see it getting worse overnight and into tomorrow morning.
"After that we've got more rain on Sunday and more rain on Monday as well so it's not going to get any better.""After that we've got more rain on Sunday and more rain on Monday as well so it's not going to get any better."
But he added that after Christmas there would be a drier period, "so hopefully things will calm down then".But he added that after Christmas there would be a drier period, "so hopefully things will calm down then".
Highways England has urged motorists to adapt their driving for wet weather by slowing down, keeping well back from the vehicle in front and easing off the accelerator if steering becomes unresponsive.Highways England has urged motorists to adapt their driving for wet weather by slowing down, keeping well back from the vehicle in front and easing off the accelerator if steering becomes unresponsive.
Have you been affected by flooding? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by flooding? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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