Tornado-like clouds fill UK skies as British summertime is wiped out by rain and storms
INCREDIBLE tornado-like clouds spiralled across the skies of Britain as the UK’s summertime was drowned out by raging storms and torrential flash floods.
Tornado funnel cloud formation on Isle of Sheppey
Britain was hit by a month’s worth of rain in just 12 hours on Wednesday as 3.2in (80mm) of rain fell across parts of the country.
As heavy winds and rain battered the nation, tornado-style clouds were seen in the sky.
Kent resident Damon Webb captured one menacing twister spiralling above the Isle of Sheppey.
Adam Young, 31, owner of Swale weather, said: "It was a tornado cloud formation - it happens if you've got a storm and the atmosphere isn't right.
Britain was hit by a month’s worth of rain in just 12 hours on Wednesday
It was a tornado cloud formation - it happens if you've got a storm and the atmosphere isn't right
"It can pick up as much energy as it likes.
"The surge was that strong that our IT department went down."
Britain is hit by around 30 to 35 tornadoes each year.
But weather experts say this particular twister is a funnel cloud, which can turn into a tornado when it touches the ground.
The Met Office issued flash flooding warnings
Mr Young told Kent Online: "As it was captured, it was amazing.
"We got these enormous loud bangs."
The Met Office yesterday warned that more flooding of homes and businesses was possible due to raging storms and rain fall.
A yellow weather warning for rain was issued for parts of the UK, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, London, East Anglia and the South East.
London is lashed by torrential downpours
In some places 0.8in (20mm) to 1.2in (30mm) was predicted to fall within two or three hours.
The Met Office said: "An area of heavy rain will sink slowly southwards across the east and south east of England during Wednesday.
“Some transport routes may be affected by localised flooding, leading to longer journey times.
"In addition, flooding of homes and businesses is possible. The heaviest of the rain should gradually become confined to the extreme south east of the UK later in the day."
The Environment Agency also issued a flood warning for the River Leen in Nottinghamshire.