Type Tornado outbreak Max rating Casualties 19 injuries | Tornadoes confirmed 2 Duration of tornado outbreak Unknown Start date July 28, 2005 | |
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Duration 28 July 2005 (2005-07-28) Similar 2006 London tornado, 2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado, 2008 Morpeth floods, 2009 Buachaille Etive Mòr, Autumn 2000 western E | ||
Itn report on 28th july 2005 birmingham tornado
The Birmingham tornado was one of the strongest tornadoes recorded in the United Kingdom in nearly 30 years, occurring on 28 July 2005 in the suburbs of Birmingham. It formed on a day when strong tornadoes were expected to develop across the Midlands and eastern England. The tornado struck at approximately 2.30pm BST in the Sparkbrook area of the city, also affecting King's Heath, Moseley and Balsall Heath as it carved a kilometre-long path through the city. Its main effects were felt in the Ladypool Road which bore the brunt of the damage. Ladypool Primary School was extensively damaged and lost its distinctive Martin & Chamberlain tower. The adjacent St Agatha's Church also suffered some damage. Christ Church (consecrated 1867), on the corner of Dolobran Road and Grantham Road in Sparkbrook was also damaged and has now been demolished.
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The Met Office and TORRO (The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation) has estimated that the tornado had a general T4 rating on the TORRO scale with a short spell as a T5 tornado, which would mean wind speeds between 93 and 130 mph (150 and 209 km/h), equivalent to an F2 on the Fujita scale.
There were no fatalities, although there were approximately 19 injuries, three of which were reported to be serious. The tornado uprooted an estimated 1000 trees, removed the roofs of buildings, picked up and deposited cars and caused other damage during its short existence. The total cost of damage has been put at £40 million, making it the most costly tornado in British history.
While the United Kingdom has more reported tornadoes, relative to its land area, than any other country excluding the Netherlands, the vast majority are weak. The strongest recorded tornado in the country struck Portsmouth on 14 December 1810 with a T8 (F4) rating and a top wind speed of 213 to 240 mph (343 to 386 km/h).
Second tornado
Three months later, strong winds and driving rain brought a second tornado, which hit less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) away from the original twister. The Met Office said there were winds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and it was strong enough to rip the roof off a corner house. Following this came widespread flooding across the region which brought havoc to Birmingham.
Earlier tornado
A tornado struck the city in 1931, killing one woman and severely damaging several houses.