MIRROR
Thousands have woken up this morning without power after Storm Gerrit saw major incidents declared across the UK after a ‘localised tornado’ and ‘supercell thunderstorm’.
The storm caused a “localised tornado” which damaged properties across Greater Manchester and, overnight, an estimated 100 homes had to be evacuated. The Met Office, which officially named Storm Gerrit on Tuesday, said the tempest was a rare “supercell thunderstorm,” ones that contain updrafts which rotate about a vertical axis. This was largely because wind speeds hit 90mph in some places
A major incident in Greater Manchester was declared after police were called to “numerous reports of significant damage” as early as 11.45pm when Storm Gerrit continued to sweep across the country. It had already caused a major incident in the Scottish Highlands.
No one was reported injured in Greater Manchester but some of those who had to evacuate their houses haven’t yet returned. Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter, from Greater Manchester Police, 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.”
Most of the homes damaged by the “freak winds” are in Stalybridge, which is in the Tameside area in the east of Greater Manchester. Some parts of the area are on higher ground as the conurbation merges with the rural Peak District National Park. In Wales, many described the storm as the “loudest noise we’ve ever heard”. One person wrote online: “Gales, heavy rain and lightning in Pembrokeshire. Window is actually shaking!” Another added: “Caernarfon is really bad. I heard like a growling and thunder-type booms not so long ago.”
Thousands across the UK have woken up without power. As of this morning, at least 14,000 properties are still without power. Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored power to just over 31,500 homes.
Director of corporate affairs Graeme Keddie told BBC Radio Scotland: “Many of those are in the north-east and Shetland which saw…
