Storm Ciarán: Tornado on Jersey strongest in almost 70 years

A clearup operation is now underway in Jersey in the wake of Storm Ciarán

A tornado that hit the island of Jersey during Storm Ciarán was the strongest in almost 70 years, experts say.

Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) studied the tornado that hit Jersey late on Wednesday 1 November, and interviewed residents about its effects.

So many trees fell in the storm that authorities lost count

They said their investigation found it was "likely" the strongest on the British Isles since since a violent storm hit Gunnersby in London in 1954.

TORRO also said it was "easily" the strongest ever in the Channel Islands.

The damage on Jersey was widespread - roofs on homes were blown away, trees were uprooted and walls crumbled.

Many people had to evacuate their homes, and schools and airports were shut.

Storm Ciarán also hit other southern parts of the UK such as Brighton and Dover, bringing with it rain, flooding and winds of up to 100 miles per hour.

Storm Ciarán made huge tidal waves in coastal towns and cities like Brightons

How strong was the tornado on Jersey?

Tornadoes have their own scale of strength, which goes from T0 to T10.

TORRO said that after their investigation, they would rank Jersey's at T6.

The tornado in Gunnersby in 1954, which blew away the roof of the local Underground station, was given a rating of T7.

TORRO said: "There have only been a few tornadoes of T6 intensity and greater in the last century within the records, and this is easily the strongest on record for the Channel Islands."