A powerful tornado caused chaos and destruction during Storm Gerrit in Stalybridge. The Greater Manchester Police have declared a major incident and around 100 homes sustained damage, including missing roofs and destroyed walls, as a result of the severe weather conditions. Despite the havoc wreaked on the area, there were no reports of injuries during the incident, which locals described as “a whirlwind of madness”.
Residents described the scene as “bedlam”, with fallen trees piled up like dominoes, cars crushed and lamp-posts swaying due to the ferocity of the storm. Ms. Hogan, a Stalybridge resident, stated that they could not open their front door while the tornado was tearing through their neighbourhood due to the strength of the wind. The damage caused by the tornado led to Hayley McCaffer, who lives in Carrbrook, and her partner being evacuated from their home due to their roof caving in and their vehicles being damaged.
Storm Gerrit has caused flooding and disrupted travel across the UK, with Scotland bearing the brunt of the storm. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings of heavy rain and winds covering most of the country. This severe weather is expected to persist in the coming days, with chances of strong winds, rain and snow in upland areas. Meteorologists confirmed that the damage inflicted on Stalybridge was caused by a short-lived tornado.
Although the UK experiences more tornadoes per square mile compared to the rest of the world, the twisters are generally small and do not last long. However, even small tornadoes can cause substantial amounts of damage to buildings, vehicles and trees. Electrical North West and local council officials were joined by emergency services to ensure the safety of all affected residents. Tameside Council’s leader, Ged Cooney, appreciated the efforts of emergency services and council officers in clearing debris, fallen trees and making the roads safe. The council declared the major incident over but stated that many local residents were still devastated by the damage to their homes
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