Homes damaged and roads flooded as thunderstorms hit UK

A car in flood water on Aldridge Road in Perry Bar, Birmingham
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Severe weather has wreaked havoc across parts of Britain, with homes damaged and flooding occurring as thunderstorms lash the country. Several parts of the UK have been hit by thunderstorms and heavy showers, and the forecast suggests more unsettled conditions are on the horizon.

In Stoke-on-Trent on Bambury Street, Longton, intense weather conditions led to roads being submerged and houses struck by lightning. Emergency services responded swiftly, with police and fire brigades sealing off sections of the area, deploying two police vehicles and two fire engines, the Mirror reports.

A local resident recounted to Stoke-on-Trent Live the moment the storm hit: "We'd only just got home. It was about 5.30pm and we heard a massive bang. A car stopped outside and the driver shouted that the roof was on fire. I think about four homes, including ours, were evacuated. We've all been sat in one of the neighbours' houses."

Cornwall has borne the brunt of the thunderstorms, according to the Met Office, with the occurrence of notably large hailstones. Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell reported that Cornwall was particularly affected by both thunderstorms and hail.

She alerted residents to the potential hazards on the roads due to water accumulation: "The area we have seen most of the thunderstorms so far has been Cornwall, and there's been some large hail reported there as well."

Mitchell also highlighted the risks of lightning strikes and cautioned drivers about "tricky driving conditions" following approximately 30mm of rainfall in the region.

"The only other place I've seen some thunder strikes was quite early this morning, about 6am, and that was in the Surrey and Oxfordshire region," said the meteorologist. A weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain is currently active across a large portion of southern England and Wales.

The yellow alert encompasses all of Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, and parts of south-east and northern England, starting at 1am and continuing until midnight on Sunday. On Sunday, a separate weather warning for rain will be implemented for Wales and central south-west England, with another set to begin on Monday, extending to areas further east and north.

In addition, the Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings for River Tean at Fole and Beamhurst, River Tean at Spath area, and River Tean at Upper Tean, Lower Tean and Checkley, indicating expected flooding. There are also 44 flood alerts in effect, suggesting possible flooding in various regions.

Earlier yesterday, the Mirror reported the sighting of a tornado in a quiet Cotswolds town on Friday. Captured by local Rich Martin, the tornado tore through Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, wreaking havoc as storms affected millions.

Tewkesbury experienced a tornado at around 4.24pm, just four hours after the Aldershot town in Hampshire was hit by a similar event, causing damage to homes and uprooting trees. Rich, aged 38, a local builder and father to six year old Grace, shared that his daughter was "flabbergasted" witnessing the unusual weather phenomenon.

Describing the brief yet intense experience, he remarked: "It lasted around 20 seconds. The winds got up very dramatically, felt like a scene from twister. Right place, Right time! ".