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Sheppey storm-chaser Damon Webb films "tornado" over Island

12:30, 09 August 2017

updated: 12:48, 09 August 2017

Storm-chaser Damon Webb grabbed dramatic film of a “tornado” forming over the Isle of Sheppey.

Part-time photographer Damon, 46, from Iwade, spotted the “funnel cloud” at 3.30pm on Tuesday from Minster beach as the Island was being lashed by heavy rain.

So much rain fell that parts of Sheerness High Street were flooded when the drains overflowed.

The tornado funnel cloud forming over Sheppey. Picture: Damon Webb of Swale Weather Watch HQ
The tornado funnel cloud forming over Sheppey. Picture: Damon Webb of Swale Weather Watch HQ
Downpour in Sheerness
Downpour in Sheerness

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Adam Young, who runs the Swale Weather HQ mobile phone app from his home in Clyde Street, Sheerness, said: “Our storm-chaser Damon witnessed the tornado funnel cloud and took some great footage.

“This is very rare for our area although these happen in other parts of the UK.

“If this had touched down it would have been brilliant for weather enthusiasts although on this occasion it was not the case.”

Adam Young created the Swale Weather app
Adam Young created the Swale Weather app

Damon’s footage has already been viewed more than 100,000 times.

Adam added: “There were also reports of huge bangs that sounded like bombs falling from the sky. But they were just very loud lightning strikes.

"With them, came very heavy rainfall and some light winds.”

One of the dramatic strikes was captured by Andy Frearson who caught it on camera while walking along the shore across the water at Whitstable.

Lightning strike over the Isle of Sheppey captured by Andy Frearson from Whitstable
Lightning strike over the Isle of Sheppey captured by Andy Frearson from Whitstable

More rain fell today today following a Met Office yellow weather warning..

Damon, who is also a radio “ham”, blogs at https://damonwebb5970.wixsite.com/ukradiom3zzf

View his footage above or search for Swale Weather on Facebook or YouTube.

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