JONATHAN Reynolds was just like the rest of Stalybridge as it was hit by a ‘tornado’ – so were Liam Billington, Leanne Feeley, Eleanor Wills and David Tilbrook.
However, the town’s MP and councillors representing the area are in position to help it repair the damage that has been left behind.
Tameside Council leader, Cllr Ged Cooney, is also co-ordinating things as staff try to make sure the chaos caused by the freak ‘supercell’ storm is not too long lasting.
The five were joined by Cllr Dave Sweeton as they looked at the devastating effects of what occurred late on Wednesday, December 27.
“I could tell something significant had happened but the noise was so much, it’s usually not weather when it’s something of that scale,” said Mr Reynolds, who was at home when the storm struck.
“I looked out and could see wheelie bins being blown around – it didn’t last long but I could tell the intensity and my concern was that people would be hurt.
“I think because of the time it happened at, miraculously no-one has been hurt but the damage is extensive.
“The big job now is getting the roads back open, tree surgeons cutting up the big trees and moving them to the side.
“People are bearing with us now as there is a lot to do but obviously, there’s a lot of property damage and people are going to have to get on to their home insurers.
“Any problems like that, let myself or the council know as this has clearly been a very significant event and needs that full response to it.
“Someone asked me, ‘Do I think anything could’ve been done to prevent it?’ If someone had said, ‘We’ve got to prevent a tornado in Stalybridge over Christmas,’ you wouldn’t have believed them.
“Now it’s about the strength of the response. People here have experienced difficult times like fires and floods but the community response, through faith organisations and the council itself, is always there to help.
“But you can’t get away from the fact that if you live in a house that’s been hit by a tree and you’ve had to move out, it’s a terrible situation to have to deal with.”
Mr Reynolds was audibly taken aback when he saw the damage to two houses on Hough Hill Road that had rooves essentially peeled off.
Slates, timbers and bricks that had also been dragged down were scattered around the area as emergency repairs were done to the properties.
And Cllrs Feeley and Wills, in whose ward they stand, could hardly believe what had happened.
“My reaction was shock, people are devastated,” said Cllr Feeley. “It was crazy. It was pouring down with rain, the wind started to build up then it felt like it just shot through.
“Alarms were going off and security lights were on. It was just trying to understand what was going on. I’d never experienced that before.
“This isn’t just a but of wind or bad weather, this is devastating.”
Cllr Wills added: “I feel a bit of grief for people really.
“I saw a woman who said she’d lot her father recently and she had some tiles come off and her car’s been hit by slates. She was very upset.
“I have friends who live there and I know through some of the school mum connections I have that they’ve been affected. They’ve been really rattled by it. They have young children in the house and half their roof went in the middle of the night.
“Seeing it in broad daylight really showed how bad it was and whether it’s one slate or 50, if you’re in financial dire straits, it’s very, very significant for you.
“I really thought my windows were going to go through and just I got to see what was happening, it stopped!”
Conservative leader Cllr Doreen Dickinson’s house is believed to have been affected by the storm and political colleagues Cllrs Billington and Tilbrook believe this is a time to come together.
Cllr Billington said: “My windows were rattling and I thought it was because I live in a bit of a wind tunnel.
“It wasn’t expected on this scale. I’d never witnessed anything like his in my time living in Stalybridge but although it is bad, the way the council has responded has been very good and efficient.
“The quickest way people can get in touch is by losing things online as the call centre is very busy and they’ll be prioritised.”
Cllr Tilbrook added: “Tameside has also asked for hep from neighbouring authorities, so they’re trying to get as many people as they can to try and get the trees moved as quickly as possible.
“I’d never seen anything like this in Stalybridge before – it sounded like someone was throwing stones at the window – thankfully no-one has been hurt.”
Cllr Cooney spoke at length with staff working at the Hough Hill Road properties and has called on insurance companies to make sure anyone suffering damage is not left out of pocket.
Tameside Council opened up Dukinfield Town Hall as a place people could stay at but the community spirit shone through as the clean-up starts.
He said: “We were astounded but the most important thing is no-one’s been injured up to now.
“But there’s devastation in the area and people can’t go back home, we don’t know when they’re going to go back.
“We’re trying to source structural engineers as we can’t let anyone in until they know they’re safe but I’m devastated for this to happen over Christmas.
“And there was no warning. Big trees have fallen and it could’ve been devastating had someone been driving.
“Our tree surgeons were out all night and are using machinery. We’re trying to source more too and every politician has come together to see what we ca do.
“Whatever we can do, we’ll do.”