- Storm Gerrit hits Greater Manchester
- Small ‘tornado’ causes damage
- Residents urged to avoid area
Storm Gerrit caused houses to sustain roof damage, trees to fall, and walls to disintegrate due to a small ‘tornado’ in Greater Manchester.
On Wednesday at approximately 23:45 GMT, police in Tameside deemed an incident of significant consequence “due to the extent of the damage inflicted and the potential danger to public safety.”
Around 100 residences sustained damage, and individuals are advised to avoid the vicinity.
No fatalities have been reported thus far.
The most severely impacted areas in Stalybridge were Millbrook and Carrbrook.
John Spence, a resident of Carrbrook, remarked, “I anticipated the windows to soon be installed.”
He claimed it was an experience unlike any other.
He stated, “I was terrified of venturing outside.” It felled my flagpole and a tree in my backyard, both of which had fallen onto the conservatory.
Storm Gerrit Causes Chaos and Evacuations in UK
Storm Gerrit has disrupted travel and flooded other parts of the UK, especially Scotland.
Heavy rain and wind ravaged the north-west of England, the southern coast of Wales, and Northern Ireland on Wednesday. Yellow weather warnings were also issued by the Met Office.
Additionally, officials from Electricity North West, the council, and fire and ambulance services were dispatched to various locations throughout Tameside. In addition, a rest centre has been established at Dukinfield Town Hall.
After a tree fell a roof on Grenville Street in Millbrook, emergency services evacuated residents late at night.
As the sun rises, they are confronted with the consequences of the incident and are positioned along the police cordon, awaiting word on when they may re-enter.
Residents are grateful to have survived a deafening boom and shaking homes.
They estimate that it lasted no longer than thirty seconds, but in that brief time, the heavy lead that was lying on the ground and was therefore impossible to remove was blown off their roofs and onto the cars below.
Greater Manchester Police stated that “a localised tornado” was responsible for the destruction.
Safety Measures and Caution Urged in Stalybridge After Storm Gerrit
Ch Supt Mark Dexter stated, “Many residents were displaced from their homes overnight as a result of this incident, which has undoubtedly impacted a large number of people in the Stalybridge region.”
We prioritise the safety of individuals above all else, which is why we are instructing displaced individuals not to return to or enter their severely damaged properties until structural engineers have evaluated them.
“As a result of road debris, I would also like to urge members of the public to exercise extra caution when driving through Stalybridge and the surrounding areas and to avoid the area whenever possible,” he continued.
The current situation has, to put it mildly, caused some disruption. As further information becomes available, we will update you on the area’s resumption to normal operations.
