A WOMAN living on the top floor of a block of flats has described the “terrifying” moment 55mph winds ripped the roof off part of the building – forcing the top floor to be evacuated.
The top floor of Manor Court flats, in Manor Road, Benfleet, was evacuated yesterday as residents, including Wendy Cresswell, were told by firefighters that the building was not safe to stay in.
The 51-year-old described hearing a huge bang as the winds lifted up part of the roof and sent it flying down the street.
Initially, residents were told to remain in their flats while the strong wind continued, but Ms Cresswell claims they were later told they would have to stay with family or friends overnight.
Firefighters were seen using an aerial ladder platform to remove debris from the roof.
Ms Cresswell said: “It was just after 1pm, I heard a massive bang and wondered what it was, it was terrifying. I looked out my window and saw the roof, which had been ripped off, lying across the road.”
She added: “It had just missed a car and it was so lucky that it didn’t hit anyone. It missed the school run and the fire brigade have said that it was too windy to do more to repair it.
“They stripped debris off the roof, three of the eight top-floor maisonettes have lost their roof, and I am scared that the overnight wind speeds could be 50mph again.”
According to Ms Cresswell, all eight residents living in the top floor of the block of flats in Benfleet were told there flat must be evacuated. Ms Creswell added: “There is a young girl and a young family who have both lost their roof, some people are still out and are going to come back and discover the situation.
“No one has anywhere they can really go to up here.
“All we can hope for is that out management pay for a hotel because otherwise we are stuck here.”
Speaking last night, she added: “If the roof totally comes off overnight, I will be gone tomorrow. I can’t see how I’d be allowed to come back.”
Firefighters have partially fixed the roof of the building to prevent any additional damage.
An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters were called to Manor Road, Benfleet, after part of a roof was lifted by the wind.
"Firefighters worked to remove remaining loose roof and make the area safe."
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