The British Weather.?

Question

http://forums.canadiancontent.net/off-topic/50381-1-000ft-tornado-hits-brighton.html

Who ever imagined that we would see such a thing in Brighton or Kensal Rise?

Answer 1

Tornado in London! I know it happens in the UK - apparently up to 50 times a year - but it's highly unusual in such a highly populated area. Heck of a storm though - and I love a good storm... although the people who had their houses wrecked probably don't share my sentiments...

It's a strange world!

And huge sympathy to the lady below me - insurance companies suck; they always try to blame it on something else. Idiots!

Answer 2

Let us not forget Birmingham
Eighteen months ago homes were wrecked and trees uprooted when 130mph winds whipped through Kings Heath, Moseley, Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath.

At least 420 homes were hit - 122 had serious roof damage and 80 suffered dangerous structural damage.

Many residents had to find other places to stay - all have now returned but some were away for more than a year.

Two streets took the full force of the storm.

Almost every roof in Birchwood Road was ripped off and part of adjoining Alder Road was still closed 12 months later. [1]

All of the homes damaged by a tornado in north-west London will be saved from demolition, surveyors have said. [2]

Really the artical itself answers the question

"Britain has more tornadoes than any other country." Not quite accurate.
The United States has the most tornadoes of any country, seeing about four times the activity estimated in all of Europe. Many of these form in an area of the central United States known as Tornado Alley. This area extends into Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairie Provinces, however, activity is less than that of the US. The Netherlands has the highest average number of recorded tornadoes per area of any country (more than 20 annually), followed by the UK (around 50 per year), but most are small and result in minor damage. The UK experiences more tornadoes than any other European country. [3]

Statistically the south and midlands of the UK being the most populated area of the UK which in turn is the 48th most populated country in the world out of 230 de facto sovereign states and dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations.
Population Area (km²) Density (Pop per km²)
59,667,840 242,900 246

[4]

So really it should not come as a great shock.
At 1530 BST Friday 24th October, 2002, more than 100 properties were damaged when a tornado ripped through part of Portchester in Hampshire.[5] literary a less than a 3 min drive away.

My sympathies go out to all the families involved in these incidents and good luck with your claim, it shouldn't matter if it can't be proved a tornado, it is still an act of weather. It may well be worth getting in touch with the met office, they will be able to confirm if it was one!

Answer 3

I feel very sorry for the people whose property has been damaged, that was bad enough; now they have to take on their insurance companies! Three weeks ago my house was hit by a mini-tornado, there is extensive damage,including part of the roof missing. My insurance company are querying whether or not it was a tornado. Despite the fact that other properties a few miles away were hit as well. What the hell do they think took away the roof ?

Answer 4

We had an earthquake in Manchester once (although it was a small one, and was hardly felt at all, something like a 2 or a 3 on the ricther scale) and that was a couple of years ago

Answer 5

Did I read that right:......
..... Britain has more tornadoes than any other country!?!?!?!?!
Wow! that is news to me.
I would imagine they are just small one maybe not more powerful than a whirlwind.....But still...never would have thought that, very interesting

Answer 6

What, windy London?

Answer 7

mm