Wind and rain wreaks havoc across the region

Trees were uprooted, outdoor events cancelled and homes evacuated after high winds and torrential downpours battered the West Midlands region.

Flood alerts were in place for many parts – despite the region being officially in a drought.

See more pictures by clicking on the image on the right.

Rain fell for most of the day, meaning that the Vaisakhi celebrations in Wolverhampton's West Park had to be cancelled.

The annual Sikh event normally attracts around 4,000 people. Organiser Sadhu Singh said: "The weather was so bad we just couldn't hold the event.

"It was a health and safety issue as the park was so muddy and wet.

"It's such a shame when you spend months organising something like that but what can you do?"

Flats above the Scott Arms Shopping Centre in Great Barr were evacuated after high winds ripped up part of the roof.

Firefighters were called to the precinct, in Walsall Road, at 8.12am yesterday. Seven flats were evacuated, and residents stayed with relatives and friends while the repairs were carried out.

"Around 15 firefighters attended the scene, and cutting tools were used to remove the felt that had detached itself. The shops remained open.

Crew commander Ross Stevenson, from West Bromwich fire station, said: "It was a large area of felt which had come away because of the high winds. Our role in matters like this is to make it safe.

"We then handed over to the centre's management to make the necessary repairs."

In Brierley Hill, buckets were put in place near some shops due to leaks at Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

In Staffordshire, a couple from Offley Brook, near Eccleshall, pulled the plug on their open garden day because of wet weather – for the first time in 24 years.

Donald Eyre-Walker and his wife Naomi of Heath House always take part in the National Gardens Scheme initiative which sees owners opening their gardens to the public up and down the country.

Dr Eyre-Walker said: "Because we are miles from anywhere, I have had to cancel the event. It's the first time I've had to do it in 24 years of taking part. The weather was pretty miserable. It's a big garden – an acre and a half – but I just put signs up saying it had been cancelled."

Torrential downpours forced organisers to cancel the annual ANZAC Day parade at the Commonwealth War Graves on Cannock Chase yesterday.

The parade is held each year to commemorate the brave service personnel of the Australian and New Zealand forces.

Meanwhile, a tree was uprooted and toppled over in Hartshorn Street, Bilston, narrowly missing two cars.

A bird's nest containing three magpie chicks also fell as the tree came down at around 1pm.

Mark Pope, aged 44, who lives in the cul-de-sac said: "It nearly hit two cars.

"The tree fell across the road, and it was blocked for a good two hours.

"It could have fallen on top of someone and seriously injured them.

"The magpie nest was a bit of a shock. I don't think the chicks will survive."

Another resident, retired marker worker Peter Colthup, 69, said: "The tree was just outside the front of my flat. I'm glad it fell onto the road and not onto my flat.

"It knocked a few of my fence panels off. Everyone was out on the street when it fell."

Today was expected to be a lot drier than yesterday and feeling warmer, with temperatures reaching 17C (63F).

But rain is set to return again tonight, turning heavy in places, with a risk of thunder.

Tomorrow will be wet and windy again, with the mercury peaking at 14C (57F) and gusts of wind reaching up to 40mph.

More rain is predicted for later in the week.