A series of tornadoes has struck communities across England, damaging homes and vehicles and uprooting trees.
A series of tornadoes has struck communities across England, damaging homes and vehicles and uprooting trees.
The Met Office confirmed that a squall hit Northampton, where falling branches damaged an empty school bus.
The Met Office confirmed that a squall hit Northampton, where falling branches damaged an empty school bus.
It also said that a violent storm damaged gardens and homes in Luton, Bedfordshire. Part of a factory roof was blown off in Breaston, Derbyshire.
It also said that a violent storm damaged gardens and homes in Luton, Bedfordshire. Part of a factory roof was blown off in Breaston, Derbyshire.
Also affected were Farnborough, Hants, and Nuneaton, Warks. Similar conditions were reported in Ollerton, Notts.
Also affected were Farnborough, Hants, and Nuneaton, Warks. Similar conditions were reported in Ollerton, Notts.
'Complete devastation'
Nina Ridge from the BBC Weather Centre said that the winds reached 60mph.
Nina Ridge from the BBC Weather Centre said that the winds reached 60mph.
In a statement, the Met Office said that the gusts were "conducive to tornadoes" and measured T2 or T3 on the tornado scale (which ranges from 0 to 10), meaning they were "moderate to strong".
In a statement, the Met Office said that the gusts were "conducive to tornadoes" and measured T2 or T3 on the tornado scale (which ranges from 0 to 10), meaning they were "moderate to strong".
It added that in Luton a violent storm hit at 0700 BST, damaging gardens and ripping tiles off house roofs.
It added that in Luton a violent storm hit at 0700 BST, damaging gardens and ripping tiles off house roofs.
According to the fire service, 20 houses were hit in Farnborough, Hampshire, at 0800 BST, tearing away a garage roof and uprooting trees.
According to the fire service, 20 houses were hit in Farnborough, Hampshire, at 0800 BST, tearing away a garage roof and uprooting trees.
Terry Parrott, who lives in Farnborough, said he looked out of his window to see a "complete whirling mass".
He added: "Caravans have been upside down, trees uprooted, bus shelters destroyed. It's just complete devastation."
Northampton resident Andy Summerville told BBC News 24 that the sky went "completely black" at around 0710 before tiles were blown onto parked cars.
Northampton resident Andy Summerville told BBC News 24 that the sky went "completely black" at around 0710 before tiles were blown onto parked cars.
Winds damaged around 20 homes in Nuneaton, with tiles pulled from roofs, cars smashed debris scattered across the streets, Warwickshire Police said.
Winds damaged around 20 homes in Trafford Drive, Nuneaton, with tiles pulled from roofs, cars smashed and debris scattered across the streets, Warwickshire Police said.
The local Borough Council said 35 homes were damaged in the Mallard Avenue and Kingfisher Way area.
Lollipop lady Beryl Warburton, 79, who lives on Trafford Drive, said the "frightening" storm struck at about 0615.
She said: "Some of the houses have had their roofs taken off completely, some have lost parts of their roofs."
Have you witnessed damage caused by strong winds in the UK?
Have you witnessed damage caused by strong winds in the UK?
