Trees, power lines and walls collapse as 'mini-tornadoes' pound Staffordshire

Trees overturned, power lines collapsed and a wall was ripped out when gale-force winds pummelled the region this afternoon.

The West Midlands had been warned to batten down the hatches, but the Black Country and Birmingham escaped the 'mini-tornadoes' that wreaked havoc across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Leaves, rain and winds of more than 70mph combined to make for difficult driving conditions across the West Midlands, but nothing compared to the damage inflicted to the north and west of the Black Country.

One of many trees uprooted in Shropshire and Staffordshire as a 'mini tornado' hit the region.

Aberystwyth in north Wales was one of the worst-hit regions and this caravan was destroyed by the wind. Photo: @thomasscarrott

The Welsh seaside town of Aberystwyth bore the brunt, as the powerful gusts overturned caravans, damaged roofs and smashed windows, while trees were uprooted across Shropshire and a 'tornado' tore through a wall in Staffordshire.

A wind speed of 84mph was recorded in Shawbury, Shropshire, as roads around the county shut throughout the afternoon.

The worst of the wind battered each area for only a few minutes - just long enough to leave destruction in its wake.

Work was suspended for 30 minutes at the headquarters of manufacturing giants JCB when a window smashed and a wall collapsed shortly after midday.

Nobody was injured and work continued within the hour, despite a huge hole being left in the side of the building in Rocester.

Where the wall and window used to be at JCB's HQ

Assembly manager Richard Williams, from near Uttoxeter, said: "I was about 30 yards away at the time and I heard an enormous crash.

"I turned around and saw the wall and the windows had come out and a big whirlwind of leaves and branches blowing around outside. Luckily no-one was in the vicinity at the time."

Staff said the skies blackened before the glae-force winds hit

Work began again within the hour, despite the damage and debris outside

A JCB spokesman added: "Shortly after midday the skies blackened and powerful winds moved in, literally whipping up big waves on the lake at the front of the factory.

"Employees who have been here for decades said they had never seen anything like it."

Staffordshire County Council said its highways department was responding to a number of incidents, including a fallen power cable on Longton Road in Stone, and urged motorists to remain patient.

A fallen power cable blocked Longton Road in Stone. Photo: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Train passengers also faced disruption between Stafford and Crewe after metal sheeting blew onto the line and a fallen tree blocked the line near Rugeley, causing the tracks to flood and delaying services by 30 minutes.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for wind for much of the country, including parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, warning that some areas would face winds in excess of 70mph and heavy rain until around 5pm.

A severe warning for ice was also issued for Staffordshire for Thursday evening, with wintry showers and low temperatures expected to cause challenging driving conditions overnight and on Friday morning - particularly in higher parts of the county.