Updated: 60 houses damaged as "tornado" hits Benfleet (From Echo)
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Updated: 60 houses damaged as "tornado" hits Benfleet
2:10pm Monday 16th November 2009 in
UP to 60 homes were damaged after a suspected tornado whipped through group of Benfleet streets.
Many homes in The Lawns, The Fairway, Eversley Road, Woodside Avenue and Arundel Road lost roof tiles while a handful had chimney pots and television aerials ripped off their roofs.
Fortunately no one was hurt in the freak storm which happened at around 9.15am and lasted just seconds.
Eyewitness Adele Ashdown, 29, of The Lawns, said: “I heard a massive gale.
“The windows were shaking hard. Looking out you could see this grey swirl with lots of stuff in it.
“It was over in a second.”
Miss Ashdown lost a few roof tiles from her home but many houses were left with huge holes in their roofs.
Police closed off The Fairway, where eight homes were effected, and parts of The Lawns, Arundel Road and Seamore Avenue, for safety reasons.
Firefighters used their ariel ladder platform to help repair damaged roofs, while residents began their own clean up mission.
Car windows were smashed by flying debris and the side of a house in Woodside View was seriously damaged and will be examined by a structural engineer.
Highways Agency and Essex County Council staff were also on site within an hour to help with the clean up.
Station officer Simon Dedman said: "A severe storm hit The Fairway area of Benfleet this morning and what is believed to have been a tornado had ripped through the street and surrounding area of up to half a square mile.
“Firefighters worked professionally and their first priority was the safety of the public and then making the houses safe.
"Approximately 60 houses in total were affected, with mainly roof tiles and TV aerials coming off, eight of those houses were seriously affected with some of their roofs being blown off, fire crews made them safe using the aerial ladder platform.”
Crews from Rayleigh Weir and Basildon Fire Stations finfished making the area safe just after 1pm.
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Comments(65)
evilc
says...
12:14pm Sat 14 Nov 09
VictoriaLS
says...
12:47pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Don South
says...
3:01pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Truth will come out
says...
6:52pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Don South wrote:What a absolutley idiotic post.
This is what happens when you have Bob Spink as MP. The man is a curse. Watch all the bad news and see if Spink has been near the place!
Just goes to show the level of your intelligence.
You cannot even contemplate that as a humour post because i dont believe you have a sence of humour either.
Scott Nelson
says...
6:57pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Don South wrote:What a nonsensical post.
This is what happens when you have Bob Spink as MP. The man is a curse. Watch all the bad news and see if Spink has been near the place!
Don't give up your day job.
Scott Nelson
says...
6:59pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Next thing, it was thundering and lightening - and hailstones the size of garden peas were smashing against my window. The whole thing lasted approximately 10 minutes.
It was so scary!
upset
says...
7:29pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Truth will come out wrote:Don speaks a lot of sence, Bobby boy does think he can walk on water!
Don South wrote: This is what happens when you have Bob Spink as MP. The man is a curse. Watch all the bad news and see if Spink has been near the place!What a absolutley idiotic post. Just goes to show the level of your intelligence. You cannot even contemplate that as a humour post because i dont believe you have a sence of humour either.
But the chairman at the gardeners investigation for bullying sussed him out.
Come on Mr. Mcneil put that story up for comments!!!
Clanky
says...
8:10pm Sat 14 Nov 09
bilbyboy
says...
8:12pm Sat 14 Nov 09
soul man
says...
8:25pm Sat 14 Nov 09
Clanky
says...
8:36pm Sat 14 Nov 09
bilbyboy
says...
9:03pm Sat 14 Nov 09
reece whitchurch
says...
9:46pm Sat 14 Nov 09
kerry72
says...
11:58pm Sat 14 Nov 09
ever want to experience that again....complete mess all around the area...........
This is earth calling
says...
12:27am Sun 15 Nov 09
Don South wrote:This is irrelevant to the story, a cheap quip and an insult to people who have had their homes or vehicles damaged.
This is what happens when you have Bob Spink as MP. The man is a curse. Watch all the bad news and see if Spink has been near the place!
Why submit posts at all if they are going to be so stupid?
maddriver
says...
1:20am Sun 15 Nov 09
maddriver
says...
2:04am Sun 15 Nov 09
soul man
says...
5:31am Sun 15 Nov 09
bilbyboy wrote:i'm not directly taking the P, i do feel sorry for the folk concerned, but someone will as they say have an earner out of somebody elses misfortune or misery, now that is taking the P, i know i upset some of you, but ive had my share of misfortune too, so if it upset anyone, my apologies to you, and if it were a neighbour of mine, i'd be first to help, trust me, i would
I wonder if 'soul man' would find it funny if it was his home that was damaged. I am always amazed at how easily some people find it to laugh at the hardship of others, how sad these people are.
Don South
says...
8:46am Sun 15 Nov 09
.
No one was hurt.
.
No one died.
.
Damage can be repaired.
.
Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.
Soozie
says...
8:57am Sun 15 Nov 09
Don South wrote:Typical cheap shot comment from a jacka$$.
Lets get some perspective. . No one was hurt. . No one died. . Damage can be repaired. . Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.
I hope you take the same attitude if this happens to you eh?
Hope everyone is okay, a tornado mini or big one is a very scary thing.
152
says...
10:02am Sun 15 Nov 09
Soozie wrote:You're a fine one to talk Soozie - you're probably the most insulting person on here - I'm surprised you havn't made a comment along the lines of "What are all these people moaning for, they should fix all the damage and get on with their lives!".
Don South wrote:Typical cheap shot comment from a jacka$$.
Lets get some perspective. . No one was hurt. . No one died. . Damage can be repaired. . Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.
I hope you take the same attitude if this happens to you eh?
Hope everyone is okay, a tornado mini or big one is a very scary thing.
Soozie
says...
11:10am Sun 15 Nov 09
152 wrote:
Soozie wrote:You're a fine one to talk Soozie - you're probably the most insulting person on here - I'm surprised you havn't made a comment along the lines of "What are all these people moaning for, they should fix all the damage and get on with their lives!".Don South wrote: Lets get some perspective. . No one was hurt. . No one died. . Damage can be repaired. . Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.Typical cheap shot comment from a jacka$$. I hope you take the same attitude if this happens to you eh? Hope everyone is okay, a tornado mini or big one is a very scary thing.
I see the opportunist '152' has sprung up from the sewer with his 2 bits worth....
Insulting to those who deserve it yes, but not to people who have had a hardship like this thrust upon them through no fault of their own - no.
This is earth calling
says...
11:19am Sun 15 Nov 09
Soozie wrote:Hello Soozie, it's your old adversary here. I think you have nicely proved 152's point unless you think it is OK to write things like "the opportunist '152' has sprung up from the sewer with his 2 bits worth...." (your words). I had better get my dictionary out and look up the word 'insult' maybe the meaning has changed since I went to school!
152 wrote:I see the opportunist '152' has sprung up from the sewer with his 2 bits worth.... Insulting to those who deserve it yes, but not to people who have had a hardship like this thrust upon them through no fault of their own - no.Soozie wrote:You're a fine one to talk Soozie - you're probably the most insulting person on here - I'm surprised you havn't made a comment along the lines of "What are all these people moaning for, they should fix all the damage and get on with their lives!".Don South wrote: Lets get some perspective. . No one was hurt. . No one died. . Damage can be repaired. . Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.Typical cheap shot comment from a jacka$$. I hope you take the same attitude if this happens to you eh? Hope everyone is okay, a tornado mini or big one is a very scary thing.
Scott Nelson
says...
11:35am Sun 15 Nov 09
Don South wrote:And let's get some more perspective: your post about Bob Spink MP is irrelevant to this topic.
Lets get some perspective.
.
No one was hurt.
.
No one died.
.
Damage can be repaired.
.
Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.
Go get a hobby.
Pooter
says...
11:52am Sun 15 Nov 09
Soozie
says...
12:20pm Sun 15 Nov 09
This is earth calling wrote:LOL - old you may be my adversity you are not.
Soozie wrote:Hello Soozie, it's your old adversary here. I think you have nicely proved 152's point unless you think it is OK to write things like "the opportunist '152' has sprung up from the sewer with his 2 bits worth...." (your words). I had better get my dictionary out and look up the word 'insult' maybe the meaning has changed since I went to school!152 wrote:I see the opportunist '152' has sprung up from the sewer with his 2 bits worth.... Insulting to those who deserve it yes, but not to people who have had a hardship like this thrust upon them through no fault of their own - no.Soozie wrote:You're a fine one to talk Soozie - you're probably the most insulting person on here - I'm surprised you havn't made a comment along the lines of "What are all these people moaning for, they should fix all the damage and get on with their lives!".Don South wrote: Lets get some perspective. . No one was hurt. . No one died. . Damage can be repaired. . Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.Typical cheap shot comment from a jacka$$. I hope you take the same attitude if this happens to you eh? Hope everyone is okay, a tornado mini or big one is a very scary thing.
He is an opportunist, always has been.
His comment to me to begin with was uncalled for.
Tornado's are horrible things and it pure luck no one was badly hurt or killed.
Pooter, the tornado in Edmonton, Canada in 1987 was one of the worst in Canadian history and one I experienced.
http://tornadoeshurr
icanes.suite101.com/
article.cfm/edmonton
_alberta_tornado_198
7
Soozie
says...
12:22pm Sun 15 Nov 09
152
says...
12:28pm Sun 15 Nov 09
I will remember that line and every post you make slandering those who are too ill too work, too poor to afford a private house etc. and remind you of it because they have been unable to get a well-paid job in a bank where they can sit on their backsides all day surfing the Echo website.
Don South
says...
12:35pm Sun 15 Nov 09
Soozie wrote:I do not have the accursed one as my MP so I am safe from such doom.
Don South wrote: Lets get some perspective. . No one was hurt. . No one died. . Damage can be repaired. . Bob Spink is a Jonah and Castle Point is cursed.Typical cheap shot comment from a jacka$$. I hope you take the same attitude if this happens to you eh? Hope everyone is okay, a tornado mini or big one is a very scary thing.
Soozie
says...
12:40pm Sun 15 Nov 09
152 wrote:Glad you have nothing better to do than surf to find my comments.
Insulting to those who deserve it yes, but not to people who have had a hardship like this thrust upon them through no fault of their own - no. I will remember that line and every post you make slandering those who are too ill too work, too poor to afford a private house etc. and remind you of it because they have been unable to get a well-paid job in a bank where they can sit on their backsides all day surfing the Echo website.
Dont forget I also work 12 hour days so people like you can sick on their backsides and justify why they can't work because they are fat. BTW have you lost all that weight now and able to work?
No those who are too poor to afford a house, I feel bad for them. I also feel sorry for people who are poorly paid.
Now lets stop this and keep to the issue at hand shalll we? The tornado.
Lovely day out there 152, go out and get some exercise and sunshine and stay away from the pies.
Have a ncie day.
Soozie
says...
12:41pm Sun 15 Nov 09
152
says...
1:11pm Sun 15 Nov 09
evilc
says...
1:27pm Sun 15 Nov 09
It might help with the old 'weight' problem for some of them.
Aint it just the truth
says...
3:52pm Sun 15 Nov 09
ilovelife
says...
4:25pm Sun 15 Nov 09
taxi driver
says...
4:47pm Sun 15 Nov 09
soul man
says...
5:12pm Sun 15 Nov 09
Cor Blimey
says...
7:08pm Sun 15 Nov 09
Don South wrote:What a complete un-educated waste of a life is this guy!
This is what happens when you have Bob Spink as MP. The man is a curse. Watch all the bad news and see if Spink has been near the place!
Clearly has had a run in with the MP and wishes to pass a pathetic unrelated comment
This is earth calling
says...
7:53pm Sun 15 Nov 09
However, was it actually a tornado? Looking on the internet the storm is widely described as a tornado but I cannot see any scientific comment on this. The definition appears to come from the residents in the area and the Echo itself.
I recall the great storm of 1987 being widely reported as a hurricane when of course it was not. Regarding tornadoes, I thought they arose out of supercell thunderstorms and I certainly recall one very near where I was staying in Ohio a couple of years ago. That thunderstorm was truly fearsome. Can anyone with a more scientific perspective than my 'educated layperson's' knowledge please comment? I am not splitting hairs, I think it is important to know about meteorological threats, particularly as therte have been some confirmed tornadoes in the UK lately, e.g. Birmingham.
This is earth calling
says...
7:58pm Sun 15 Nov 09
152
says...
9:02pm Sun 15 Nov 09
hsw79
says...
10:09pm Sun 15 Nov 09
I heard a lot of horrible noise and then all the sirens of emergency vehicles passing our home. I guessed something had happened, but only found out what it was today.
The other day I was watching a programme that featured the tornadoes that struck in the Midlands and when my children asked if that might happen here, I said that it would be highly unlikely!!! Ooops!
My thoughts are with those that have suffered damage.
Horace Wimpole
says...
10:53pm Sun 15 Nov 09
Scott Nelson wrote:Hmm, hmm, fascinating. Do tell me more.
I live along the river front in Grays. At approximately 9.15am I saw dark clouds approaching. Within minutes the winds had picked up speed and I could see lightening in the distance.
Next thing, it was thundering and lightening - and hailstones the size of garden peas were smashing against my window. The whole thing lasted approximately 10 minutes.
It was so scary!
Horace Wimpole
says...
10:55pm Sun 15 Nov 09
152 wrote:Again, fascinating stuff. Do post more.
Based on the damage and eyewitness reports, I should think this was a Force 11 Gale rather than a Tornado as such.
Tishy
says...
11:27pm Sun 15 Nov 09
Horace Wimpole
says...
11:39pm Sun 15 Nov 09
Tishy wrote:Don't be so harsh Tishy! 152 and 'this is earth calling' really seem to know their stuff.
I do wish people would think before adding their remarks.
taylorshay
says...
2:41am Mon 16 Nov 09
Partyboy2
says...
12:22pm Mon 16 Nov 09
Horace Wimpole wrote:lol
Scott Nelson wrote: I live along the river front in Grays. At approximately 9.15am I saw dark clouds approaching. Within minutes the winds had picked up speed and I could see lightening in the distance. Next thing, it was thundering and lightening - and hailstones the size of garden peas were smashing against my window. The whole thing lasted approximately 10 minutes. It was so scary!Hmm, hmm, fascinating. Do tell me more.
emilyelizabethloader
says...
2:40pm Mon 16 Nov 09
152
says...
3:41pm Mon 16 Nov 09
Today I looked out of the window and saw there was a very strong wind in Rochford. I saw several leaves being blown off of trees and one old lady even had to hold on to her hat. Based on the damage reports, I believe this may have been a Force 1 gale.
AC
says...
5:59pm Mon 16 Nov 09
This is earth calling wrote:It's a little-known fact but the UK actually has the second highest number of Tornadoes, per square mile, of any country in the World. Most are relatively low powered and occur way above the surface though.
Technical point maybe and I am not minimising in any way the upset and inconvenience caused to people who had their properties or vehicles damaged or how scared they might have been. You have my sympathy. However, was it actually a tornado? Looking on the internet the storm is widely described as a tornado but I cannot see any scientific comment on this. The definition appears to come from the residents in the area and the Echo itself. I recall the great storm of 1987 being widely reported as a hurricane when of course it was not. Regarding tornadoes, I thought they arose out of supercell thunderstorms and I certainly recall one very near where I was staying in Ohio a couple of years ago. That thunderstorm was truly fearsome. Can anyone with a more scientific perspective than my 'educated layperson's' knowledge please comment? I am not splitting hairs, I think it is important to know about meteorological threats, particularly as therte have been some confirmed tornadoes in the UK lately, e.g. Birmingham.
Horace Wimpole
says...
10:38pm Mon 16 Nov 09
152
says...
11:51pm Mon 16 Nov 09
When I got home this evening I saw that my fish tanks were in one piece. I therefore believe that I was not subjected to a tornado today.
Don South
says...
11:06am Tue 17 Nov 09
152 wrote:Keep Bob Spink away or your fish will be doomed!
For the benefit of Horace When I got home this evening I saw that my fish tanks were in one piece. I therefore believe that I was not subjected to a tornado today.
kuga_kris
says...
12:40pm Tue 17 Nov 09
Storm man
says...
12:53pm Tue 17 Nov 09
Aint it just the truth
says...
10:51am Thu 19 Nov 09
as previously stated I have seen many mini tornados round here but always as waterspouts at sea, out in the estuary, never on land before. Also whilst the great storm of '87 was not technically a hurricane it was hurricane force winds as defined by the Beaufort scale (force 12 winds over 70 nmph are defined as hurricane force)
tina
says...
7:02pm Thu 19 Nov 09
bilbyboy
says...
7:08pm Thu 19 Nov 09
tina
says...
10:06am Fri 20 Nov 09
Horace Wimpole
says...
5:33pm Fri 20 Nov 09
tina wrote:Sorry you two, could you turn the pompous meter up a little more please?
from my experience on here last year, some of the people that comment will never learn compassion
bilbyboy
says...
11:44pm Fri 20 Nov 09
Horace Wimpole wrote:Horace how many people have you lost in disasters? I have lost 4, 2 of them were children, my children. Sorry if that sounds pompous to you. One was 9 the other 12. I grieve for them every single day, in fact i often cry myself to sleep (when i can sleep). I do apologise for being "pompous".
tina wrote: from my experience on here last year, some of the people that comment will never learn compassionSorry you two, could you turn the pompous meter up a little more please?
Horace Wimpole
says...
11:29am Sat 21 Nov 09
Horace how many people have you lost in disasters? I have lost 4, 2 of them were children, my children. Sorry if that sounds pompous to you. One was 9 the other 12. I grieve for them every single day, in fact i often cry myself to sleep (when i can sleep). I do apologise for being "pompous".I’m sorry for your loss, that's horrendous. But praying that others will suffer as you have (“we can only hope that some day they will be plagued by some disaster…”) is beyond pompous—it’s beyond comprehension.
As for my personal circumstances, I don't choose to document them on a public website, sorry.
tina
says...
6:30am Mon 30 Nov 09
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