Herefordshire battered by storms

Herefordshire has been battered by some of the worst storms in recent years. Winds gusting up to 80mph caused damage to many trees.

Herefordshire Council’s engineers were called to deal with many damaged and uprooted trees throughout the county, with five alone coming down on the A465 at Callow.

In Hereford on Thursday (January 18), Eign Gate in Hereford had to be closed to pedestrians at 1pm after parts of the roof at the Woolworths store were ripped off by the gale force winds. No-one was hurt in the incident.

At 1.15pm, West Street was closed to traffic because it was feared further parts of the roof may come off and fall into the street.

A tree also fell on a car at Widemarsh Common and Herefordshire Council made sure there was no further risk to the public.

The city's Sainsbury's superstore was also shut after losing part of its roof which landed in the Great Western Way running alongside.

No-one was hurt in the incidents and the Woolworths roof was made safe by 3pm on Thursday when Eign Gate and West Street were re-opened to pedestrians and motorists.

Up to 12 county schools were left with no electricity and forced to close their doors.

At Ivington School tiles blown off the roof smashed through a skylight and at Brockhampton School part of a tiled roof was blown off.

Many rural areas in the county suffered from power cuts. The village of Shobdon was particularly affected and still had no power on Friday (January 19).