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Wales and the Midlands struck by series of tornadoes

'It was a very frightening experience, it just came out of nowhere,' says Aberystwyth resident Thomas Scarrott

Matt Payton
Thursday 17 November 2016 16:27 GMT
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A sample of the damage at Clarach caravan park near Aberystwyth in West Wales
A sample of the damage at Clarach caravan park near Aberystwyth in West Wales (Thomas Scarrott)

A number of tornadoes have hit parts of Wales and the Midlands felling trees and overturning caravans.

The tornadoes were brought on to the West Wales coastline by a squally cold front which is expected to move east over the course of the day.

Forecasters have said any further tornados will be confined to northern parts of the Midlands.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds moving eastwards across the country.

The RNLI station at Aberystwyth in Ceredigion measured winds as fast as 94mph.

Welsh Police reported several roads in Aberystwyth and Machynlleth in Powys.

Thomas Scarrott, director of the Clarach Bay Holiday Village, near Aberystwyth told WalesOnline 15 to 20 caravans were upturned and overturned.

Mr Scarrott said: "It was a very frightening experience, it just came out of nowhere.

"It must have been a tornado because a holiday village opposite us doesn't seem to have any damage.

"Thankfully we are closed so there is only a few workers and maintenance people, otherwise I reckon there would have been a lot more injuries."

Indiana Tornadoes

The Mid West Fire Service attended the scene at the caravan park where they isolated several gas cylinders and told reporters the site had been evacuated.

Heavy winds forced the closure of the Severn bridge that stretches over the river between Aust in Gloucestershire and Chepstow in Gloucestershire.

Scottish Power has experienced disruption in its mid Wales power network.

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