A “localised tornado” has hit Greater Manchester and damaged around 100 properties as Storm Gerrit batters the UK.
A “localised tornado” is thought to have caused “significant damage” to homes in Stalybridge, Tameside.
Tameside Council said that around 100 properties were evacuated after the “mini tornado” hit areas of Carrbrook and Millbrook.
A spokesperson said, “It is believed everyone affected made arrangements to stay with family and friends overnight.
“Our officers have been out all night and continue to be out today clearing debris, fallen trees and making roads, footpaths and other areas safe.”
At around 11.45pm on Wednesday evening, “numerous reports” were reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), they then declared a major incident due to the “severity” of the damage which has the potential to risk public safety.
Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter from GMP 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.”
Thousands of homes are without power and there is still travel disruption as heavy snow has swept across Scotland.
Storm Gerrit has let fallen trees, branches and debris bringing down power lines due to heavy winds and rain.
Director of corporate affairs Graeme Keddie told BBC Radio Scotland, “One of the main impacts we’ve seen is around access to faults, so blocked roads, flooding in fields, and issues with snow.
“We’re very hopeful that that will ease today but that has meant our teams on the ground have been saying that (in) the time it would take to fix two or three faults they have only been able to fix one, but we are hopeful of further progress today as weather conditions have eased.”
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