Tornado damage will cost thousands to repair but family counts blessings

VICTIMS of Derby's mini tornado are counting the cost of repair work, with one family expecting their bill to run as high as £15,000.

The freak weather struck four streets in Littleover on Monday afternoon, with homes in Dennis Close, Leslie Close, Maypole Lane and Matthew Way all hit.

A garage was smashed to rubble, hundreds of roof tiles were thrown to the ground and cars were damaged by the storm.

Chris Woodward, who lives in Dennis Close, said the tornado – which destroyed her garage and ripped tiles off her roof – still seemed "unreal".

Her main worry last night was the house's roof, particularly with more rain and wind due.

The 61-year-old said: "It still seems unreal – it's been a complete nightmare. We are all at home trying to do what we can. You just think 'what have I done wrong to deserve this?'.

"I suppose you can't really complain when you see what is going on elsewhere in the country, in places like Cockermouth."

Mrs Woodward said it was relief that no-one had been injured during the tornado, which damaged more than 50 homes in total.

Yesterday, the family had roof tiles replaced, although the garage will have to be rebuilt at a cost running into thousands, but they are insured, she said.

Meanwhile, the forecast for the rest of the week is windy but mainly dry, with a few scattered showers.

Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said: "It will be breezy until the weekend, with plenty of dry weather. There will be showers passing through but nothing like the weather we've had recently."

Firefighters said on Monday, the Old Vicarage, in Church Lane, Beeley, near Matlock, escaped damage when eight-feet of water flooded the cellar due to blocked drains.