Quote:
A "mini-tornado" has swept through several north London streets, leaving over 100 properties damaged as stunned residents could only look on.
Six people have been injured and firefighters and ambulance crews are still at the scene in Kensal Rise.
Pictures show destroyed house walls with rooms left exposed and bricks strewn over the street and parked cars. Trees were blown over and uprooted by the winds and roof tiles were ripped up.
The London Fire Brigade said several hundred people have been displaced by the damage. They are facing the prospect of being unable to spend Christmas in their own home.
Tim Klotz, 34, described the moment it "went a bit dark" and the tornado descended.
Mr Klotz said: "It was like some sort of cyclone. I was actually in an attic room working at my desk on the computer and there was heavy rain and sleet and then the wind just really changed."
He added: "I looked up through a skylight and debris was falling through the air. I heard what seemed like large, clay dominoes falling, which I think were roof tiles."
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it was too early to estimate the cost of damage caused but a spokesman said damage caused by the Birmingham tornado in 2005 ran into "tens of millions of pounds".
He said damage caused to homes and businesses would be covered by buildings insurance and household policies should cover the cost of alternative accommodation.
The freak weather comes after a night of heavy wind and rains.
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Strange weather we are getting lately, I hope they keep the Tornados down south, we don't want them up here where I am
Looks like Browns ' Petrol Tax ' increase didn't work
07-12-2006, 06:34 PM
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