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Parts of UK struck by tornadoes | Parts of UK struck by tornadoes |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A series of tornadoes has struck communities across England, damaging homes and vehicles and uprooting trees. | A series of tornadoes has struck communities across England, damaging homes and vehicles and uprooting trees. |
The Met Office confirmed that a squall hit Northampton, where falling branches damaged an empty school bus. | The Met Office confirmed that a squall hit Northampton, where falling branches damaged an empty school bus. |
It also said that a violent storm damaged gardens and homes in Luton, Bedfordshire. Part of a factory roof was blown off in Breaston, Derbyshire. | It also said that a violent storm damaged gardens and homes in Luton, Bedfordshire. Part of a factory roof was blown off in Breaston, Derbyshire. |
Also affected were Farnborough, Hants, and Nuneaton, Warks. Similar conditions were reported in Ollerton, Notts. | Also affected were Farnborough, Hants, and Nuneaton, Warks. Similar conditions were reported in Ollerton, Notts. |
'Complete devastation' | 'Complete devastation' |
Nina Ridge from the BBC Weather Centre said that the winds reached 60mph. | Nina Ridge from the BBC Weather Centre said that the winds reached 60mph. |
In a statement, the Met Office said that the gusts were "conducive to tornadoes" and measured T2 or T3 on the TORRO scale (which ranges from 0 to 10), meaning they were "moderate to strong". | In a statement, the Met Office said that the gusts were "conducive to tornadoes" and measured T2 or T3 on the TORRO scale (which ranges from 0 to 10), meaning they were "moderate to strong". |
It added that in Luton a violent storm hit at 0700 BST, damaging gardens and ripping tiles off house roofs. | It added that in Luton a violent storm hit at 0700 BST, damaging gardens and ripping tiles off house roofs. |
Ruth Spaull of Luton said that she saw "a funnel of wind" lift her daughter's trampoline 15ft (4.52m) into the air. | Ruth Spaull of Luton said that she saw "a funnel of wind" lift her daughter's trampoline 15ft (4.52m) into the air. |
According to the fire service, 20 houses were hit in Farnborough, Hampshire, at 0800 BST, tearing away a garage roof and uprooting trees. | According to the fire service, 20 houses were hit in Farnborough, Hampshire, at 0800 BST, tearing away a garage roof and uprooting trees. |
Terry Parrott, who lives in Farnborough, said he looked out of his window to see a "complete whirling mass". | Terry Parrott, who lives in Farnborough, said he looked out of his window to see a "complete whirling mass". |
He added: "Caravans have been upside down, trees uprooted, bus shelters destroyed. It's just complete devastation." | He added: "Caravans have been upside down, trees uprooted, bus shelters destroyed. It's just complete devastation." |
Tim Vile, incident commander for Hampshire Fire and Rescue, said the area looked "like a battle-zone". | Tim Vile, incident commander for Hampshire Fire and Rescue, said the area looked "like a battle-zone". |
Northampton resident Andy Summerville told BBC News 24 that the sky went "completely black" at around 0710 before tiles were blown onto parked cars. | Northampton resident Andy Summerville told BBC News 24 that the sky went "completely black" at around 0710 before tiles were blown onto parked cars. |
Winds damaged around 20 homes in Trafford Drive, Nuneaton, with tiles pulled from roofs, cars smashed and debris scattered across the streets, Warwickshire Police said. | Winds damaged around 20 homes in Trafford Drive, Nuneaton, with tiles pulled from roofs, cars smashed and debris scattered across the streets, Warwickshire Police said. |
Animated guide: Tornadoes | Animated guide: Tornadoes |
The local borough council said 35 homes were damaged in the Mallard Avenue and Kingfisher Way area. | |
Lollipop lady Beryl Warburton, 79, who lives on Trafford Drive, said the "frightening" storm struck at about 0615. | Lollipop lady Beryl Warburton, 79, who lives on Trafford Drive, said the "frightening" storm struck at about 0615. |
She said: "Some of the houses have had their roofs taken off completely, some have lost parts of their roofs." | She said: "Some of the houses have had their roofs taken off completely, some have lost parts of their roofs." |
Have you witnessed damage caused by strong winds in the UK? | Have you witnessed damage caused by strong winds in the UK? |