Tornado leaves hundreds homeless - pics-

Plex · Last edited by Plex on Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:01 am; edited 1 time in total

Hundreds of people have been left homeless after a tornado brought devastation "like a horror movie" to a residential area of north London.

They took cover in a respite centre set up in a local church after about 100 homes were damaged in "freak weather", injuring six people and causing millions of pounds' worth of damage.

Miraculously, the people who were hurt in Kensal Rise suffered only minor injuries and just one, a man in his 50s, needed hospital treatment - for a head injury. He was allowed home from Central Middlesex Hospital, Park Royal later.

Eyewitnesses told how the sky went dark, there was a noise like a jet engine, and a column of debris swept through the streets as the tornado struck.

It came only days after a similar incident in the village of Bowstreet in Ceredigion, west Wales, caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage to homes and other buildings. One of the most destructive tornadoes in the UK struck Birmingham on July 28 last year when hundreds of buildings in Sparkbrook were damaged by 135mph winds. A total of 19 people were injured then and the damage cost tens of millions of pounds.

Dave Bonner, of London Fire Brigade, said at the scene of the London tornado that one house had its roof completely removed while another had an exterior wall demolished. About 10 streets were affected and fire officers searched at least 100 properties to make sure everybody was safe.

Many residents would have to spend the night with relatives or in emergency shelters in nearby church halls and schools, he said. While officials did not want to prolong the time it would take for people to return to their homes, the most severely damaged buildings would take time to repair, he added.

Residents returning from work were told to report to the Church of the Transfiguration hall in Chamberlayne Road where they would be met by police and local authority representatives. Mr Bonner said those wanting up-to-date information could call 020 8937 5255.

Brent Council borough surveyor Andy Hardy said the authority was preparing to re-house people where necessary, adding: "At the moment we are expecting further severe weather so we are not going to send any contractors in to shore up until we are sure the weather is not going to create further mayhem."

Local mayor Bertha Joseph said the damage was "like a horror movie" and council officers would offer their support to those people made homeless.

Source: http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=1398740