Tornado strikes West Sussex village

A group known as TORRO – UK Tornado and Storm Research Organisation – says that a site investigation has revealed that a ‘moderate tornado’ occurred in Pulborough just before 6pm on Saturday (June 7).

The group is currently compiling a report on what happened and says: “Thankfully no homes were found to have been damaged.”

It describes the tornado as ‘T2’ in strength, meaning it was of a moderate intensity.

Meanwhile, people in Pulborough, have shared their experiences on social media. One said: “No damage but we did see it blow through our back garden. It blew windows open that were just ajar – I looked out and saw it blow through – I thought it was quickly over so must have been a little storm/tornado.”

Another said: “Overturned our garden wooden bench, pot plants, garden lights and umbrellas all came down. Lots of branches and leaves all over the car park.”

TORRO is now asking for any other reports of damage associated with unusually strong winds in southern coastal counties from Devon through to Kent between 2pm and around 7:30pm on June 7. It says: “We are particularly interested in areas east of Pulborough through West and East Sussex and into Kent after 17.55 pm.”

It asks anyone with any information to report it at https://www.torro.org.uk/severe-weather-report.https://www.torro.org.uk/severe-weather-report.

According to the Government’s National Weather Service a tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. “Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado unless it forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust and debris,” it says.

TORRO, founded in 1974, describes itself as a ‘privately-supported research body serving the national and international public interest.’