28-12-23, 09:24
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Re: Major Incident in Scotland-Storm Gerrit Batters Britain & Tornado Wrecks Manchest
Storm Gerrit 'Tornado' Tears Through Manchester Wrecking Around 100 Homes Overnight
Brits trying to get back home after Xmas prepare to endure MORE travel chaos today after 80mph gales, rain and snow sparked road, rail and plane mayhem
Daily Mail 28 DEC 2023
Storm Gerrit has wrecked more than 100 homes after a tornado swept through a town - tearing apart roofs, blowing large trees onto roads and evacuating residents.
A supercell thunderstorm barrelled across Greater Manchester overnight causing major structural damage to houses in Stalybridge, Tameside, just before midnight.
Homeowners were told to attend a town hall for help, and the Met Office revealed there had been a strong rotating updraft and it was a 'likely' that a tornado had hit.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to 'numerous reports of significant damage' at about 11.45pm last night and declared a 'major incident'. Photographs showed walls blown over, roofs torn apart and windows blown out.
It comes as travel chaos continued today across the UK after the storm struck with blizzards, 106mph gales and three inches of rain. Some 25,000 homes in Scotland lost power and drivers were trapped in snow on the A9 in the Highlands for hours.
Avanti West Coast said a tree falling on overhead wires between Rugby and Lichfield meant some rail lines were blocked again today. Journey times from London Euston towards the North West are being extended as trains are diverted via the Midlands.
Separately, Great Western Railway services at London Paddington were suspended today after a person was hit by a train near Slough. This also impacted the Elizabeth line, with no service between Hayes and Harlington and Reading.
It comes as:
ScotRail, Transport for Wales and other operators reported major storm disruption;
Power was restored to 31,000 houses but 14,000 further homes were still cut off;
Ferry crossings between Southampton and the Isle of Wight were cancelled today;
Heathrow Airport axed 18 flights yesterday due to air traffic control restrictions.
Flights were cancelled, rail lines were blocked and bridges closed, bringing lengthy delays as families returned home and commuters struggled back into workplaces.
The Environment Agency had 156 flood alerts and 23 warnings in place for England today after the deluge. Strong winds and heavy rain is forecast into the weekend, improving slightly with showers and sunny spells predicted for New Year's Eve.
But the Met Office has warned the question of whether snow - potentially 'significant amounts' - would spread into England and Wales next week was 'finely balanced'.
Storm Gerrit: Big Jet TV captures Boeing 777 pulling off 'INSANE' landing at Heathrow
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