A TORNADO destroyed 100 homes and sparked evacuations as Storm Gerrit triggered chaos across Britain.
A “supercell thunderstorm” crossed Greater Manchester last night causing widespread damage to properties, the Met Office said.
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The roof of a property damaged last night during high winds in StalybridgeCredit: LNP
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A ‘supercell thunderstorm’ crossed Greater Manchester causing damage to propertyCredit: LNP
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‘Numerous reports’ were made to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 11.45pmCredit: LNP
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Scaffolding collapsed near the Wilko store in Swanley, KentCredit: UKNIP
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Large waves at Roker Pier and lighthouse in Sunderland, Tyne and WearCredit: Ian Sproat/pictureexclusive.com
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The Met Office said ‘a tornado at the surface was likely’ in Greater ManchesterCredit: MET Office
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Flooding in York this morning where the River Ouse has broken its banksCredit: LNP
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Stalybridge, Tameside, was rocked by a ‘localised tornado’ last nightCredit: UKNIP
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Trees in the area were felled by the strong windsCredit: UKNIP
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Damaged vehicles are seen in the aftermath of a tornadoCredit: Getty
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Passengers at Paddington station as rail services are suspendedCredit: PA
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A piece of debris wedged into the boot of a Vauxhall in TamesideCredit: MEN Media
The forecaster said that radar evidence showing a “strong rotating updraft” suggested that a tornado was “likely”.
It added that it was awaiting data from the ground to confirm.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to “numerous reports of significant damage” to homes in Stalybridge, Tameside, at around 11.45pm due to a “localised tornado”.
Dramatic pictures show the scale of destruction including collapsed chimney stacks, smashed windows and debris on roads.
Officers opened a reception area at Dukinfield Town Hall overnight.
No injuries were reported but many residents were forced to leave their homes.
Tameside Council said approximately 100 properties were evacuated after the “mini tornado” hit areas of Carrbrook and Millbrook.
A spokesperson said: “It is believed everyone affected made arrangements to stay with family and friends overnight.
Storm Gerrit has wreaked havoc on the travel network and left thousands of homes without power:
“Our officers have been out all night and continue to be out today clearing debris, fallen trees and making roads, footpaths and other areas safe.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter from GMP said: “This incident has undoubtedly affected numerous people in the Stalybridge area with many residents displaced from their properties during the night.
“Our highest priority is keeping people safe which is why we are advising those who have been displaced not to return or enter their properties which have significant damage until they have been assessed by structural engineers.
“I would also like to urge members of the public to avoid the area where possible and take extra care when travelling in vehicles on the roads in Stalybridge and the surrounding areas, due to debris in the road.”
‘It was pure carnage’
Matthew Marsland, who lives opposite the badly damaged homes on Hough Hill Road, said he heard a “crazy noise” and “vibations through the window” for about thirty seconds when the freak weather event hit.
He went into the street to pick up some debris after and noticed a gutter lying in the middle of the road, before he realised his neighbour’s roof had been destroyed.
“I heard extreme noise at my back window,” he said. “I was stood at my patio door and there was just basically a crazy sounding noise and then vibrations through the glass.
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“I looked out of the window and saw a bit of debris so I thought I’d go out and pick a few bits up.
“Then I saw a piece of tree next to my neighbour’s car, then I looked further along the street and saw a gutter in the middle of the street so I thought I’d go and pick that up, and then I saw my neighbour had had half his house torn off.”
He said the whole incident lasted “25 to 30 seconds”.
“Two or three minutes later the entire estate was on the street, and we were just wondering what would happen next,” he added.
He said he “saw the intensity of the rain” through his back door and “could feel the moisture of the rain through the glass”.
“I wouldn’t have had time to react even if I had wanted to – and then before anything had happened it was all over.”
Another man, whose car was badly damaged in the incident, said it was ‘lucky nobody was killed’.
Local resident Andy Turner said that the tornado lasted for about 15 seconds and was “pure carnage”.
He said: “At 11.30pm last night, there was – all I can describe – is a hurricane came through. It lasted for about 15 seconds.
“Cars were parked outside the house. My wife’s car is a write off, my car’s took a bit of the brunt of the tree.
“It’s just lucky that nobody was hurt. It was pure carnage.”
Another resident Alison Atkinson said all roads were blocked near her house and pavements had been torn up by the wind.
‘A pint saved my life’
“I was in Wetherspoons when it happened,” Cherry Grove resident Euan Walsh told the Oldham Times.
“The windows from the Bistro next to it came in,” the 21-year-old continued.
“I just finished work and I was going to walk home when I decided to go to the pub – so a pint saved my life possibly!”
Dad Kevin Welsh, aged 57, added: “I was watching the Woman in Black when I heard all this noise outside,” he said.
“I’ve lived here for 36 years and never experienced anything like this – we do get strong winds but only in one direction, this was came from every direction and lasted all of one minute.”
Meanwhile there are 23 flood warnings in place across Hereford, York and Carlisle and 131 flood alerts.
Ferry operator DFDS said its sailings between Dover and France are delayed due to strong winds in the Channel.
Passengers are being advised to check in as normal and are being put onto the first available sailing.
Train operator Avanti West Coast said a tree falling on overhead wires between Rugby and Lichfield Trent Valley means some lines are blocked.
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Andy Turner stood next to his wife’s car which has been completely ruined after a tree fell onto itCredit: PP.
Train services impacted by Storm Gerrit
The severe weather due to Storm Gerrit means that trains may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
ScotRail
Between Helensburgh Central and Dumbarton Central
Between Edinburgh and Dundee and also between Dundee and Aberdeen
LNER
Between Inverness and Perth / Stirling
Between Inverness and Wick / Kyle of Lochalsh
To / from Largs
Between Glasgow Central and Oban / Mallaig
Glasgow Central / Carlisle via Dumfries
Transport for Wales
Llandudno / Llandudno Junction – Blaenau Ffestiniog
To / from Aberdare
Swansea and Shrewsbury
Avanti West Coast
Alterations to services between Rugby and Lichfield Trent Valley Ll
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Peter Hall had a tree fall on his car windscreen from the tornadoCredit: SWNS
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Alan Lake stood in his garden after a tornado hit StalybridgeCredit: PP.
Journey times for services from London Euston towards the North West are being extended as trains are diverted via the Midlands.
Miles of cars were left trapped in snow yesterday, with trains across the UK cancelled as chills of -6.2C were recorded in Braemar, Scotland.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said workers had been dealing with wind speeds of 80mph in some coastal areas as they worked to reconnect customers.
High winds, along with heavy rain and snow, damaged electricity networks across Scotland as fallen trees, branches and other debris brought down power lines.
A yellow warning for wind and snow remained in place until 6am in the Shetlands.
SSEN said power had been restored to 25,000 properties with a further 16,000 homes entering Thursday without power.
An SSEN spokesman said: “The widespread extent of the damage, the ongoing adverse weather conditions, and the challenges accessing faults due to fallen trees, flooding and road closures, together mean that full network restoration will take time.
“Some customers in rural areas may be off supply for up to 48 hours.”
Scotland Police confirmed the A9 has fully reopened in both directions and is “passable with care” after snow blocked the road between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie.
Inspector Michelle Burns, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Conditions for travel in the affected areas may be hazardous and extra caution should be exercised by all road users.”
The A90 northbound has also reopened after earlier closures, but southbound lanes at Lochlands, Forfar, remain off-limits with local diversions in place.
Scotland’s rail network experienced widespread cancellations and delays with a train driver’s cabin hit by a falling tree.
Aslef Scotland confirmed the driver was uninjured and Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said passengers were also unharmed.
ScotRail suspended multiple train services until further notice, impacting trains travelling while other lines saw their timetables shelved until “a full inspection can be carried out” on the railway network.
Train operator LNER, which runs services between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line, also advised customers not to travel due to the weather.
Customers stranded by the disruption were told to book hotels which they can claim back.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services on the West Coast Main Line, said its route to Scotland is impassable with all services to and from London terminating at Preston.
Those with pre-booked tickets for travel between Preston and either Edinburgh or Glasgow can board trains on Thursday or Friday, the operator said.
Authorities in Greater Manchester were also called to weather incidents amid reports of a possible tornado in Dukinfield and Mossley on Wednesday.
Tameside Council opened a reception area at Dukinfield Town Hall to cater for any displaced residents.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation said a detailed site investigation would need to be undertaken before it can confirm the damage was caused by a rare British tornado.
Heathrow Airport cancelled 18 flights due to air traffic control restrictions, understood to be return routes from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Manchester, and to Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid and Paris.
Dramatic footage also captured several planes struggling to land at airports across the UK.
Storm Gerrit also brought plenty of rain gauge at the Great Langdale Valley in the Lake District recording 80mm – nearly half the usual 178mm monthly rainfall for December, the Met Office said.
The fastest recorded wind gusts so far are 86mph at Inverbervie on the north-east coast of Scotland, 84mph at Fair Isle and 83mph at Capel Curig, north Wales, the forecaster said.
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Storm Gerrit caused significant damage to roofs and structures in Stalybridge
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Traffic battles through blizzards yesterday on the A9 near AviemoreCredit: Northpix
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Many residents in Stalybridge were forced to leave their homesCredit: UKNIP
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Tameside residents were forced to evacuate their homes overnightCredit: SWNS
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Windsurfers take to the waters off Avon Beach in Christchurch, DorsetCredit: BNPS
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The Millbrook and Carrbrook areas of Stalybridge were the worst affectedCredit: SWNS
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The River Ouse has broken its banks rising to 3.6m flooding roads and property in the city centreCredit: LNP
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The first indication of an unusual weather event came around 11pmCredit: Twitter
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Bowling station in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, turned into a canal as water flooded the tracksCredit: Getty
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A ‘localised tornado’ is believed to have caused ‘significant damage’ to homes in StalybridgeCredit: LNP
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There are 23 flood warnings in place across Hereford, York and CarlisleCredit: Twitter
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Shocking images show the aftermath of the ScotRail smash yesterdayCredit: Twitter
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Damage at a house on Hough Hill Road in StalybridgeCredit: STEVE ALLEN
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A fallen tree on a car in Stalybridge as Storm Gerrit continues to batter parts of the UKCredit: LNP
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Ring doorbell footage captures the weather chaos from last night
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Scaffolding was blown down last night in Swanley town centre in KentCredit: LNP
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Stormy seas crash against the Cobb Harbour wall at Lyme Regis in DorsetCredit: ©Graham Hunt
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Around a hundred homes have been damaged after a ‘localised tornado’Credit: SWNS
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A tree surgeon works to remove a tree that fell onto a carCredit: Reuters
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