ALFRETON TORNADO: Video and shock pictures of damage after mini-twister rips through town

The freak weather phenomenon struck Catherine Street at about 3.30pm today – ripping the roofs off several homes, damaging cars and uprooting trees.

SLIDESHOW: Press the play button to watch a slideshow of the damage

VIDEO: Alfreton Tornado filmed from a house in Mansfield Road by Marie-Christne Collins - CLICK HERE.

The Met Office has tonight confirmed the street was battered by a mini-tornado.

Emergency services are at the scene helping people whose properties have been damaged.

Some residents will be unable to return to their homes and will have to spend the night in temporary accommodation.

There are no reports of any injuries.

Residents on Catherine Street have told the Derbyshire Times of their shock at the drama.

Adam Broadley, 32, said: “I looked out of the window and for a moment I thought we were in the eye of a hurricane – everywhere was dark, it was windy and it was raining like mad.

“There were roof tiles and wood flying all around us.

“Thankfully our home hasn’t been damaged but I can see one house with a roof missing.

“There’s a lot of shock in the area – you don’t expect this type of thing to happen in the UK, let alone on your own street.”

Shelly Yeomans said: “Trees were being snapped like matchsticks and a branch hit one of my friend’s cars.

“Unbelievable, dramatic stuff.”

Another eyewitnes added: “It’s been a terrifying day.”

A spokesman for Derbyshire fire service tonight said: “Crews from Alfreton, Chesterfield, Kingsway and Nottinghamshire are in attendance at this incident.

“Police and a structural engineer are present, too.

“This incident is ongoing.”

The Met Office said the mini-tornado was caused by unstable weather conditions.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “Although tornadic activity is by no means common across the UK, it does occur on occasions when the atmosphere is suitably volatile.”

Keep checking back for updates.