‘Tornado’ causes mayhem in Stalybridge

Homes and cars have been damaged in Tameside as a result of Storm Gerrit.

At around 11.45pm police declared a major incident due to the severity of the damage caused and potential risk to public safety.

Residents living in the Millbrook and Carrbrook areas were worst affected, as many trees were blown down and walls collapsed.

One lady from Stalybridge said the tiles had come off her roof, while another said the bonnet of her car was completely damaged.

Elsewhere in the UK Storm Gerrit has brought flooding and disrupted travel, with Scotland being the worst affected area.

Fire and ambulance crews, as well as officials from Electricity North West and the council were also called to multiple sites across Tameside and a rest centre was set up at Dukinfield Town Hall.

Greater Manchester Police said the damage in Tameside had been caused “due to a localised tornado”.

Chief superintendent Mark Dexter said that many people in Stalybridge area had been affected and that the priority was to keep people safe.

Residents were advised not to return to their properties if they were significantly damaged, until they had been assessed by structural engineers.

Images by Gill Potts