London - Reports of tornado-like storms and extreme weather conditions left emergency services "stretched to the limit" in the Midlands of England last night.
West Midlands Fire Service said crews were called after reports of a "twister" in Selly Oak, Birmingham, which damaged 21 houses in a cul-de-sac, ripping off tiles and segments of roofing. Assistant Divisional Officer, Mr Dave Glenis, said crews were also dealing with floods of up to four feet in Pendeford, Wolverhampton, after torrential rain.
He said the incident in Wellman Croft, Selly Oak, had left the roofs of four homes severely damaged, adding: "It would appear that the street was struck by what people are calling a twister at about 7 p.m. last night. The incident in Selly Oak followed a report of a tornado-like "funnel of cloud" hovering over south Staffordshire.