THE END OF SEPTEMBER SAW A SERIES of freak tornadoes occurring in various locations around the British Isles, with areas affected including the West Midlands, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire.
One of the worst-hit places was Hampshire on the south coast – specifically the town of Farnborough. Farnborough found itself being battered by the high winds on the morning of Monday 24. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Rushmoor Fire Station were mobilised at 0722 in order to attend the Cove area of the town where there had been reports of quite serious structural damage.
As many as 30 homes were affected by the mini tornado, and 15 firefighters were deployed to carry out temporary repairs, along with the Aerial Ladder Platform from Basingstoke Fire Station. Speaking of the incident, Station Manager Tim Vile said: “There were a number of properties affected by the high winds, where tiles had come off roofs and we helped householders make temporary repairs to their roofs. Trees and fences had been blown down during the storm, whilst a caravan had also overturned. A number of chimney stacks had been left in precarious positions and our fire crews stayed on the scene to stabilise them and made sure there was no danger to residents.” There were no reports of injuries caused by the Farnborough storm.
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