Extreme Conditions

Freak Tornado Rips through Birmingham

(29 July 2005)

Residents in Birmingham in the UK were today waking up to assess the damage after a tornado whipped up winds of 130mph that tore through the Kings Heath area south of the city uprooting trees and tossing over cars. The freak tornado lasted just a matter of minutes but left a trail of destruction, ripping the roofs of houses and shattering windows. Many residents had to spend the night in emergency accommodation at a local sports centre and community centre whilst structural damage to properties and possible gas leaks were being assessed. Roads in the area have been closed off whilst emergency services use sniffer dogs to see if anyone has been trapped in the rubble. Several people were injured in the tornado but no one is thought to have died.