Galley Common and Grove Farm hit by mini tornado

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A major clean-up operation is underway after a storm ripped through the heart of a Nuneaton community.



Some have even suggested that a mini tornado tore through parts of Galley Common and Grove Farm earlier today, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Infact, some residents in Hickman Road, Galley Common are tonight having to take shelter at St Peter’s Church Hall due to the damage caused to their homes.

Staff at the Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Equestrian Centre, known as the riding school for the disabled, are also desperately looking for alternative homes for its horses as all the stables have been deemed unsafe.

Miraculously, despite some homes suffering ‘significant’ damage and others having roof tiles blown off, there have been no reports of any injuries as a result of the storms, which struck at around 3pm.

Police have revealed that panicked residents dialled 999 as the storm ripped through their street, with bricks and roof tiles being blown around the area.

Firefighters, the police and ambulances quickly arrived at the scene to assess the damage and check for casualties.

Superintendent Martin Samuel, Northern Area Commander for Warwickshire Police said, “Thankfully, despite our initial fears, no one was injured as a result of the damage to the properties. The community hall at nearby St Peter’s Church was made available for people to go to while structural engineers from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council carried out safety assessments on the houses that had been damaged.

“A couple of the houses are badly damaged and I anticipate that there may be some people who will not be able to return to their homes this evening.

“The emergency services have been working with the local council to ensure the people affected by the storm damage have the support they need.”

A spokesperson for Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council added, "We are currently working to clear the debris in the area. We will also have officers from the council at St Peter's Church Hall on Sunday morning between 10am and 11.30am to offer further advice, help and support to anyone affected by the storm damage today."

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Galley Common families offered shelter after 'tornado'



Families were offered shelter at a community hall overnight after a storm ripped through part of Warwickshire.

Roof slates were dislodged and car windows smashed due to the strong winds in Galley Common, near Nuneaton, at about 15:00 GMT on Saturday.

Police said five properties in Hickman Road were badly damaged and a number of others had roof tiles blown off.

People took shelter at the community hall at nearby St Peter's Church while safety checks were carried out.

One Galley Common resident, who asked not to be named, described the destruction as like a "mini tornado".

Supt Martin Samuel said: "Thankfully, despite our initial fears, no one was injured as a result of the damage to the properties.

"The community hall at nearby St Peter's Church was made available for people to go to while structural engineers from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council carried out safety assessments on the houses that had been damaged.

"The emergency services have been working with the local council to ensure the people affected by the storm damage have the support they need."

A spokesperson for Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said officers would be at St Peter's Church between 10:00 and 11:30 to offer advice, help and support to anyone affected.

Elsewhere in the region, a church and a number of houses were struck by lightning during Saturday's storm.

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One of the Galley Common homes damaged by the tornado


Cleaning up the day after the tornado which caused damage at Galley Common


A garage destroyed by the tornado which swept through Galley Common