Many left without power as Storm Gerrit damage houses in UK

A storm that hit the UK with high winds, relentless snow, and rain that wreaked havoc on houses, infrastructure, and transportation. Scotland and parts of northern England bore the brunt of the storm, witnessing canceled trains, structural damage to homes, and widespread power outages on Thursday.

Work crews battled wind speeds reaching 80 miles (128 kilometers) per hour along the Scottish coast, grappling with the aftermath of fallen branches and debris that disrupted utility lines, leaving around 14,000 homes in the dark.

In northwest England, specifically Manchester, police responded to numerous reports of homes ravaged by what was described as a brief "localized tornado" late Wednesday. Shocking images depicted roofs torn off houses, cars crushed by fallen trees, and residents recounting the surreal experience of garden sheds being swept away.


The Met Office, the U.K.'s weather forecaster, identified the storm as a "supercell thunderstorm" featuring a "strong rotating updraft" that traversed the Greater Manchester area. The impact was severe, prompting the evacuation of approximately 100 properties. Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident due to the extensive damage, emphasizing the potential risk to public safety, although no injuries were reported.

Storm Gerrit also disrupted train services across Scotland, leading to suspensions on some lines until a comprehensive inspection of the network could be conducted. A falling tree struck the driver's cabin on one train, fortunately resulting in no injuries.

Scotland also grappled with snow-covered roads, adding to the challenges posed by the tempest. At Heathrow Airport, the primary travel hub for the U.K., 18 flights were canceled on Wednesday due to air traffic control restrictions on domestic routes. The repercussions extended to European destinations like Barcelona and Berlin, where flights were also affected by the tumultuous weather conditions.