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Hurricane-force winds have wreaked havoc in West Wales after what witnesses described as a “freak tornado” hit the town of Aberystwyth.
TORRO, the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation, said the reports were yet to be verified, but warned the cold front was moving eastwards to parts of southern and central England, bringing with it the threat of isolated tornadoes, high winds and lightning.
The Mid and West Wales fire service dealt with 25 weather-related incidents after trees crashed onto roads, power lines fell, caravans overturned and tiles were flung from roofs.
No reports have been received of anyone being seriously hurt in the storm, which saw winds of up to 94mph hit the area this morning.
Aberystwyth Lifeboat said they had heard reports of “lots of damage” in the area, while firefighters and police urged drivers to be careful due to debris on the roads.
At the town’s harbour, a small fishing boat capsized and sunk, and another boat was blown off its blocks, according to Cambrian News. There has also reportedly been damage at Bronglais Hospital.
The hurricane-force winds smashed caravans to pieces at Vale Holiday Parks. Pic: Thomas Scarrott
In Clarach Bay, to the north of the town, Thomas Scarrott posted pictures on Twitter after the freak winds brought down caravans at his holiday park, Vale Holidays.
He told Sky News the freak winds descended on the area “without any warning whatsoever” after a mild morning.
“It just descended into complete and utter carnage,” he said.
Damage at the town’s football club. Pic: Aberystwyth Town FC
“There were caravans being thrown around, there was debris flying everywhere. It was quite scary, to stay the least.”
Mr Scarrott said his father sustained a minor injury after being struck on the wrist by flying debris, but that “luckily” no-one was seriously hurt as the park is currently closed to visitors.
Had it been peak season, there would have “without doubt” been deaths or serious injuries, he said.
Trees have been torn down across the town. Pic: @cerys_haf
“Caravans have been upended … we think there’s 10, maybe 12, that have been turned completely upside down, completely written off, and another 10 to 15 have sustained damage beyond repair.
“All in all it’s been a very disastrous day for us.”
Elsewhere in the town, trees were torn down and roof tiles were blown into roads, with several being forced to close, Dyfed Powys Police said.
Aberystwyth Town FC has postponed training at its Park Avenue site after the extreme winds brought down two floodlights and fencing.
The damage means a Welsh Premier League game scheduled for Friday will have to be rearranged.
Aberystwyth University has also cancelled lectures at two campuses.
Students have been warned to “return to residences, stay indoors and monitor emails”.
The strongest gust of 94mph was recorded shortly after 10.30am. Although this is fast enough to exceed hurricane speed, forecasters said it came in surges and was not prolonged enough to be classified as a hurricane.
Sky weather producer Christopher England said: “It’s certainly possible we’ve had a tornado, as they are typically associated with thunderstorms and large variations in the wind with height, which we have had today.”
Winds swept inland across mid-Wales towards Shrewsbury over the course of the day, Meteogroup said.
In the village of Shawbury, Shropshire, forecasters recorded a wind speed of 84mph.
Courtesy of Sky News
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