Homes and cars seriously damaged as town 'hit by tornado' during storm chaos

10 December 2023 , 17:34

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Homes and cars seriously damaged as town 'hit by tornado' during storm chaos

Homes and cars have been severely damaged after it's thought a tornado hit a region in Ireland today.

Emergency services were called to Leitrim Village as high winds flattened trees, ripped a roof off a building and left debris scattered on a street.

Dramatic photographs show the devastating impact the gales and heavy rain - caused by Storm Elin and Storm Fergus - had caused Leitrim Village and the surrounding area in the north of the country. It comes as a red alert – the highest possible weather warning – was issued for part of the west coast of Ireland for a time today.

Homes and cars were seriously damaged in Leitrim Village, Ireland, today (WILLIE DONNELLAN/LEITRIM OBSERVER)

A meteorologist noticed the "rotation" effect in the wind across County Leitrim, which he said supports the belief there was a tornado today. He wrote on X: "Hoping everyone is OK after this shocking event."

Paddy Farrell, who is a county councillor, told BBC News: "It only lasted a very short amount of time but caused a lot of damage." One image shows wooden beams through a car's windscreen and debris on the surrounding ground. Villagers are seen trying to sweep rubble outside homes.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Mr Farrell was driving through the village when the phenomenon, thought to have been a tornado, struck. The councillor added: "I missed it by a few seconds, I was very lucky. I kept driving to get away from it - otherwise my car would have been badly damaged.

"I don't think anyone was badly hurt, thankfully, but the roof of a building has been taken off and a lot of cars have been damaged. There's a lot of debris out in the street and the emergency services are at the scene."

A building suffered damage to part of its roof following the heavy rain and wind (WILLIE DONNELLAN/LEITRIM OBSERVER)

Paddy Cunningham, who lives in Leitrim Village, said: "I was coming into the town and noticed street lights flickering and electric out in the buildings." He added he first thought there had been a gas explosion or a lightning strike when he saw the damage. Mr Cunningham continued: "I came to the bridge and saw people running around with their hands on their heads and shouting – it was like an explosion site."

Gardaí (Irish police) and other emergency services are at the scene of the incidents in the village. Gardaí said the the settlement, which is on River Shannon, was closed and urged people to "avoid the area". The spokesperson said: "Garda and Emergency Services are attending an incident in Leitrim Village. The Village is closed. Please avoid the area and be patient while emergencies services deal with the incident."

Emergency services dashed to help keep people safe in the rural community (WILLIE DONNELLAN/LEITRIM OBSERVER)

Six boats in a nearby marina overturned due to the gales. Seamus Gibbons, who runs an electric-bike store in the village, said: "It was unbelievable carnage. My roof was shredded and the slates were ripped off."

Storm Fergus continues to move across Ireland. It follows Storm Elin, which The Met Office says caused huge wind speeds, the highest of which was recorded at 81mph in Capel Curig, Conwy. Nearly 40mm of rain fell across the Lake District yesterday.

And now, along with Leitrim, a yellow warning for wind has been issued across 17 counties in Ireland - more than half of the counties across the whole island.

Bradley Jolly