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Tornado reports after wind leaves trail of damage

Paul Carpenter Pile of white boats and tree debris on beach with building behindPaul Carpenter
The freak vigorous gust of wind struck on Hayling Island on Tuesday night

Residents have been clearing up after a violent wind left a trail of destruction in Hampshire.

Trees were felled, roof tiles were ripped off and boats were left upturned in parts of Emsworth and Hayling Island at about 20:30 BST on Tuesday.

Paul Carpenter, who lives near the marina, said the force of nature "shook the whole house" but was "all over in a matter of seconds".

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) said it was investigating to try and establish if the severe wind was a tornado.

Becky Mason Tree crashed from left to right across a garden with trampoline and house behindBecky Mason
The powerful sudden wind uprooted trees in Emsworth

Becky Mason, who lives in Emsworth, said: "I had never heard anything like it, it felt like it came over the house and lasted a minute if that and it just stopped."

She said they found two trees had crashed down into their garden and a 14ft (4.2m) trampoline "which hasn't moved in the three years we've been here flew across the garden. It was mental".

The volunteer-run TORRO organisation has appealed for anyone affected in either area on the Hampshire coast to send in a report to help its team investigate the severe and unusual weather.

Paul Carpenter Bright blue car with windscreens smashed and brown roof tile wedged by wiper bladesPaul Carpenter
Roof tiles flew off homes, with one smashing a car windscreen

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