Tornado tears through south Birmingham

A tornado has torn through the south of Birmingham, ripping roofs off houses, uprooting trees and injuring at least 19 people.

The tornado struck on the afternoon of 28 July, touching down in Kings Heath at around 2.30pm and cutting a path north through Moseley, Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook towards Saltley.

A path of destruction

Witnesses described a dark funnel of cloud and a deafening roar as the tornado passed. In a matter of minutes, roofs were torn off, walls collapsed, cars were overturned and trees were ripped out of the ground.

In Kings Heath, shops on the High Street were damaged and All Saints' Church was hit. In Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook, rows of terraced houses lost their roofs and windows, and debris was strewn across the streets. The Ladypool Road area, known for its balti restaurants, was among the worst affected.

Many of the injured were hurt by flying debris or falling masonry. Several people were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, but there have been no reports of anyone being killed.

Emergency response

Police, fire crews and ambulances were quickly on the scene. Roads were closed, and people were moved out of homes that were judged to be unsafe. Rest centres were set up for families who could not return to their houses.

Birmingham City Council has sent teams to check the damage to buildings and to begin clearing the roads. Council officials say hundreds of homes have been damaged, and it could take months to repair them all.

Power lines were brought down, and some homes were left without electricity for several hours.

A rare event

Tornadoes are more common in Britain than many people think, but most are small and do little damage. A tornado of this strength is very rare, especially in a built-up area.

Weather experts say the tornado formed from a band of thunderstorms that crossed the region on a warm, humid afternoon. It appears to have been one of the most powerful to hit Britain in recent decades.

It is not the first time the city has been hit. In June 1931, a tornado caused widespread damage in Birmingham, running through some of the same areas, including Sparkbrook and Small Heath, and killing one person.

Community spirit

As the clear-up began, residents and business owners came together to help each other. Neighbours offered shelter to those who had lost their homes, and restaurants and shops handed out food and drinks to emergency workers and families.

Local councillors and MPs have visited the area and promised to make sure residents get the help they need. Insurance companies are sending staff to assess claims, and the cost of the damage is expected to run into millions of pounds.

For many people in the south of the city, it was a terrifying afternoon that they will never forget.