A "tornado" hit Greater Manchester overnight, with the damage caused by Storm Gerrit across the country set to continue to wreak havoc today.
Britons have been urged to delay travel plans due to the fallout from the chaotic weather as train operators warn of significant delays, short-notice alterations and cancellations.
There were high speed winds across the UK, with the Met Office having issued nine yellow weather warnings for throughout the day for the rapid gusts along with heavy snow and rain.
The national weather service warned of a risk of flooding, local communities being cut off and damage to properties.
A 'localised tornado' was reported in Tameside, Greater ManchesterA 'localised tornado' was reported in Tameside, Greater ManchesterIn one such instance, around 100 homes in Tameside have been left with what police described as "significant damage".
Residents described a "localised tornado" had hit the area, with roofs ripped off and fallen trees destroying buildings.
The Met Office said this morning: "Last night a supercell thunderstorm crossed Greater Manchester causing damage.
"We know from our Dopplar radar that it had a strong rotating updraft.
"Whilst we don't yet have surface data to confirm, the presence of these features suggests a tornado at the surface was likely."
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation said a detailed site investigation would need to be undertaken before it can confirm the damage was caused by a rare British tornado.
The high speed winds hit Greater Manchester just before midnight
NETWEATHER
The Met Office's Dopplar radar shows the supercell thunderstorm had a strong rotating updraft
MET OFFICE
Many residents were forced to leave their homes, with Greater Manchester Police called to the scene at around 11.45pm.
No one has been reported injured.
Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter from GMP said: “This incident has undoubtedly affected numerous people in the Stalybridge area with many residents displaced from their properties during the night.
“Our highest priority is keeping people safe which is why we are advising those who have been displaced not to return or enter their properties which have significant damage until they have been assessed by structural engineers.
“I would also like to urge members of the public to avoid the area where possible and take extra care when travelling in vehicles on the roads in Stalybridge and the surrounding areas, due to debris in the road.”
Across the rest of the country, wind speeds of up to 80mph in some coastal areas has left thousands of homes without power.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) spent yesterday restoring power to 25,000 properties but a further 16,000 homes entered today without electricity.
Storm Gerrit caused significant damage to homes
Fallen trees risked structural damage to homes
TAMESIDE CORRESPONDENT
ScotRail suspended multiple train services until further notice, impacting trains travelling while other lines saw their timetables shelved until “a full inspection can be carried out” on the railway network.
Train operator LNER, which runs services between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line, also advised customers not to travel due to the weather.
Customers stranded by the disruption were told to book hotels which they can claim back.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services on the West Coast Main Line, said its route to Scotland is impassable with all services to and from London terminating at Preston.
Those with pre-booked tickets for travel between Preston and either Edinburgh or Glasgow can board trains on Thursday or Friday, the operator said.