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Balsall Heath's tornado devastation overlooked by mainstream media

Indymedia Balsall Heath | 29.07.2005 03:24 | Ecology | Birmingham

This afternoon July 28th 2005, without warning between 2:30 and 3:00 pm, a freak tornado raging at 136 miles an hour struck South Birmingham. The devastation pictured below resembles an earthquake or a series of bomb blasts. Within a couple of miles radius thousands of people have been made homeless and have been evacuated from their homes.

So many roofs and parts of roofs are missing. If there's any rain tomorrow or in the next few days and possibly weeks ceilings will collapse and people's possessions will be damaged. Urgent action needs to be taken to ensure repairs are carried out as quickly as possible. There is structural damage to hundreds of homes in the area.

Local resident Dave said, "This is a disaster zone! No amount of regeneration funding can help, it will be too late. Damage will escalate in the B12 area of Birmingham, unless immediate action is taken. Both economically, socially, spiritually this disaster may spoil all the community cohesion that exists already. Direct Government action is needed!'

Birchwood Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham
Birchwood Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham

Birchwood Road
Birchwood Road


Birchwood road looking towards Ladypool road
Birchwood road looking towards Ladypool road


local people waiting for news and access to their homes
local people waiting for news and access to their homes

what's left of Karl's garden
what's left of Karl's garden

Sandford road
Sandford road



upturned truck near Ladypool road
upturned truck near Ladypool road

another upturned car in someone's yard
another upturned car in someone's yard



Balsall Heath park
Balsall Heath park

damage to Balsall Heath park
damage to Balsall Heath park

Brighton Road
Brighton Road

Church Road
Church Road

Ladypool Road, Balsall Heath
Ladypool Road, Balsall Heath

Ladypool Road shops
Ladypool Road shops


There are reports in the mainstream media that a decision has been taken to already demolish a row of houses in Birchwood Road, and other streets in the area. Local people are already asking why this decision has been made so quickly without any public consultation.

The mainstream media has mainly focused on the damage to commercial property in more affluent Kings Heath. The corporate media seems to have so far ignored the devastation in Balsall Heath. Balsall Heath is an inner city area of Birmingham with high levels of unemployment and 'regeneration schemes' that local residents feel cynical about in terms of real results.

There has been little or no mention of the damage to people's homes in Balsall Heath. Roofs have been literally peeled off and windows blown in. Frontages to houses have also been ripped off and cars have been rolled down streets by the tornado. Reports from local residents indicate that on Ladypool Road roofs, walls and masonry are still unsafe. Trees have also been uprooted and Balsall Heath park has lost most of its mature trees.

According to police drafted in from all over the West Midlands the disaster has not been designated as an emergency situation. This evening they are discouraging local people from returning to their homes because they are 'unsafe and dangerous'.

People who are new to the area or don't have English as their first language are bewildered by some of the 'emergency procedures' and are finding it difficult to communicate with the emergency services.

Joseph Chamberlain Sports Centre has been designated as an emergency centre where people have been evacuated to. Despite the suspicion and anxiety caused by recent terrorist scares and raids in South Birmingham, a mutual community spirit has emerged in response to the disaster.

Residents have been waiting all afternoon for news and 'permission' to return to their homes. After waiting until very late in the evening, local residents are now being escorted with police back to their homes to survey the damage, but at their 'own risk'. Residents are being asked to sign disclaimer forms declaring they are aware of potential dangers associated with unsafe property. Police are identifying residents using the electoral register and they say they can prevent looting in the area although there doesn't appear to have been sufficient numbers of police around earlier to prevent this happening.

People assume they may well have to pay for damages and then claim money back from insurance and that's only if they are covered. Damage to vehicles that have been damaged by flying masonary, trees and roof tiles and in some cases rolled down streets are not covered by most insurance policies.

Questions being asked now revolve around the fact that this hasn't been formally declared a disaster. Where's the money going to come from to pay for the repairs to people's homes, and who's going to do the repairs? Are private landlords, the council, housing associations going to cough up?

Rising house prices and gentrification in Balsall Heath and surrounding areas mean many home owners won't be able to meet the cost of repairs to their houses either. A lot of people also don't have any insurance to cover the damage they've incurred. Who's going to fit the bill?

The next few days and weeks will be very telling in terms of who gets support and repairs done to the homes. Will the more affluent areas hit by the disaster receive assistance and money quicker and will the tornado's damage ever be recognised as a disaster?

Indymedia Balsall Heath

Comments

Hide the following 25 comments

No coverage ?

29.07.2005 07:35

I don't know why you are saying there has been no coverage of the Balsall Heath area. I have seen pictures, film and interviews of local residents. Coverage was on the BBC and Sky

Please be more balanced in future reports, thank you

Jal


conspiracy

29.07.2005 08:17

state seeded clouds
- its been done before -
simulate bomb destruction;
further anti-terrorism measures and repression;
also aid gentrification, get rid of "refugee ghettos", make way for corporate development schemes etc;

what do you reckon?

macdermott


Don't make us laugh

29.07.2005 09:51

The story about the tornado spent nearly the whole day on the home page of the BBC News website and the England section is still running it as its main story with various pages on the topic.

I don't think that constitutes a coverup by the mainstream media.

Zorro


Tornado-alley in Britain overlooked & downplayed in the media? Noticed that too!

29.07.2005 10:21

I felt kind of miffed with ITN's clear and deliberate efforts to downplay it, describing it as a "mini-tornado" and a "freak tornado".

What planet do these journos at ITN live on? This wasn't a mini-tornado. It decimated a square kilometre of Birmingham's so-called 'Balti-belt'. The Meteorological Office state that it was at least a category T3 in strength, possibly a T4. From the extent of the damage I would place it AT LEAST at T4 level (wind speeds 114-130mph).

There's scientifically no such thing as a mini-tornado with wind speeds of 130mph! And there is also scientifically simply no such thing as a freak tornados in Britain. Tornados are actually more common than you might think here, although its less common for them to reach this strength and hit an urban conurbation.

You can view some video footage taken by terrified Birmingham residents on their mobile phones here:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/bb_rm_fs.stm?nbram=1&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nol_storyid=4726129

And here:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/bb_rm_fs.stm?nbram=1&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nol_storyid=4726641

There were actually two others that hit built-up areas yesterday, causing considerable damage (although not on the scale of Birmingham).

One in Peterborough:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/4726879.stm

And one in Lincolnshire:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4726237.stm

The BBC, unbelievably, have even taken the story off their front page now (less than 24 hours later!):

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/

although you can find their original report here:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4725279.stm

The BBC now seem to be following ITN’s lead and describing it as a “mini-tornado” at the foot of their article, even though the Met Office state “there has not been one of this strength in many years”.

So the biggest and most destructive tornado to hit a British town in years was actually a mini-one. You heard it here first! I expect the powers-that-be don’t want to alarm - as they see it - “the natives” and get people worried about how serious all this “climate change hog-wash” actually is.

Paul


Mainstream news did overlook Balsall Heath: FACT

29.07.2005 13:19

Aerial view of the devastation
Aerial view of the devastation

The mainstream media has overlooked the damage in Balsall Heath.

It was only until this morning that reports started to profile the devastation here. The group of local residents who wrote the article were very surprised to see most of the mainstream media focus on the Kings Heath area when the worst damage had happened in Birchwood road and surrounding areas in Balsall Heath.

At least the mainstream media are covering it now but they aren't asking the same questions that local people are asking about repairs to their homes and much needed suppport.

Why hasn't this been accorded the status of a disaster or an emergency situation?

Could it be that local government and the council don't want to spend any money?

This area needs immediate direct support now!

Basall Heathen


not ignored

29.07.2005 14:15

The arial photograph of Birchwood Road is on the front pages of at least 3 national newspapers. I would hardly call that being ignored.

Alex


eye witness account direct from the streets

29.07.2005 17:47

The pictures on the front page of many news papers this morning were taken yesterday from helicopters. The scale of the disaster was immediately obvious, yet these images did not get onto television news reports. The police and emergency services all knew the extent of the devastation yet this was not reported, and local residents were continually being told that Kings Heath in particular had seen the worst of the tornado. In Kingsheath this morning it was business as usual, where as large parts of Balsall Heath were, and still are, no go areas, with a heavy police presence that is not benefitting the local community who are feeling increasingly denyed information and help from those who are 'here to help'. All of the residents are aware of the dangers present, unsafe building etc, and the possibility of looting, though whether any looting has actually taken place is difficult to ascertain, but it is the pretext the police are using for their heavy handed presence. Who's community and streets are these, the way this disaster in Balsall Heath is being handled by the 'authorities, and experts' is neglecting many of the needs and wishes of the community. If this continues the results may well be another disaster waiting to happen.

Mmmm


This is not a class issue

29.07.2005 17:50

The national media have been concentrating on other events this past fortnight. Maybe, just maybe, that has a bearing on the situation.

Alec


An explanation?

29.07.2005 22:08

An explanation?

I read an off-duty BBC journalists eye-witness account of the tornado.

Could it be the emphasis on Kings Heath has anything to do with a lot of journos from BBC Birmingham living there?

Also, who knows? It's possible that the authorities may try and use the devastation in the more ethnically diverse Balsall Heath to do a bit of opportunistic intelligence gathering.

Not that I'm justifying it, but there have been highly publicised bomb scares and police raids in Birmingham recently connected with the London bombings investigation.

Maybe they saw the opportunity to rifle through dozens of people's homes with sniffer dogs etc, without the need for search warrants etc, too good an opportunity to pass up?

Regardless, I certainly share the concern about quickly the question of demolition - without consulting any of the owners, tenants and other stakeholders - reared its ugly head.

It's certainly outrageous how the demolition of the homes of the poor and disadvantaged is so easily and readily discussed, compared to when disaster befalls the wealthy.

I didn't hear any statements released about Kings Heath needing demolished. It's typical state behaviour - to walk on egg-shells when it comes to major decision making in neighbourhoods replete with high proportions of the so-called "chattering classes", professional workers, the wealthy, and so forth.

Such niceties are seldom traditionally seen to be necessary in poorer communties, having lower proportions of people with economic and political clout, and often thought not to have sufficient voice to mobilise and collectivise their response to oppressive state policies.

It's up to the Birmingham community to get together, have a public meeting, elect some spokespeople and form an action group to ensure that they are treated fairly and receive appropriate investment and disaster relief from the public purse to meet the myriad challenges you are facing. The rest of Britain supports you and is thinking of you in your hour of need.

United we stand, divided we fall. Although we are apart, united by the miracle of cyber-space, we stand with you.

Paul


Demolition

30.07.2005 06:56

"It's certainly outrageous how the demolition of the homes of the poor and disadvantaged is so easily and readily discussed, compared to when disaster befalls the wealthy"


Actually, if you look at the aerial photographs, the extent of high level structural damage to a number of houses is very high. It is very likely that at least in some cases demolition and rebuilding will be more cost-effective than repair. Others don't look too bad, but it's hard to judge levels of masonry deformation and so on without detailed survey.


An Architect (Yes, Really, ARB and RIBA and everything)


Coverage? not much of it left.

30.07.2005 10:09

'the extent of high level structural damage to a number of houses is very high.'
You mean the roof has blown off!

Seriously though, I DO think this is another case where discrimination is coming through in the reporting. People from this area are, I'm convinced, simply seen as less important. We see this in so many other cases. When that nice Abigail Witchells (think that's how you spell it) got attacked, it was never off the telly. When something very similar happened in our area (run-down street, low income, ethnically diverse), it hardly got a mention in the press. Just look at the way car-bombs in Iraq are reported - 'An American soldier dies in a road-side bomb'. Only later do you find out 23 Iraqi children died too. Look too at the posting 'Us White People' on the front page here, under the article 'British Women That Marry Asylum Seekers'. It highlights once again the constant discrimination we have in this country. Sorry to rant on, but pretending it doesn't exist allows it to thrive.

Windy


Well no, not quite

30.07.2005 12:10

>-- 'the extent of high level structural damage to a number of houses is very high.'
You mean the roof has blown off!

Well, not quite. In many cases the roof coverings - slates, etc. - have come off but if you look at the photographs you will see that in many cases the roof trusses, ie the structure, have been badly damaged. This raises several issues; they restrain wallheads from outwards movement, for example. Contrary to common perception, the gables are held in place by the trusses, not vice-versa, hence loss of truss integrity can have wider effects.

Hence the term "high level structural damage"

An Architect


check this!!

30.07.2005 21:09

slate in tree
slate in tree

look at this this scarily well scary this hasnt been tampered with. i took it with my mobile phone from the back of my house (karl's house as in the picture of "whats left of karl's garden")

nestor


Slate in tree

30.07.2005 22:25

Nestor

That architect is a prat...don't worry. yes! we all recognise that the structural damage is so bad that there is a need for demolition..but his RIBA has blinded him to what we....the people in this area are trying to get over.

We have alot to say..we are tired.. and we don't need a smart arse pointing out the obvious'

Another architect


Huh?

31.07.2005 06:28

"That architect is a prat...don't worry. yes! we all recognise that the structural damage is so bad that there is a need for demolition..but his RIBA has blinded him to what we....the people in this area are trying to get over. "

No, I think you'll find that the earlier posts and other threads were suggesting a knee jerk reaction requiring demolition influenced by the low social class of the surrounding area. The original quote is, in fact:

"It's certainly outrageous how the demolition of the homes of the poor and disadvantaged is so easily and readily discussed, compared to when disaster befalls the wealthy"

Try following the thread before you respond next time, friend. And don't use RIBA in the wrong context (its not a qualification) thus giving away you're not an architect.

The First Architect


Some recollection from a past conversation with an architect

31.07.2005 17:18

Some people will perhaps be surprised to hear this (I know I was when I found out!).

Several years ago, I was in conversation with an architect from a firm who had done a lot of work for an organisation I was involved with at the time.

I was absolutely gob-smacked to hear him tell me that his firm had full plans on file to build a new apartment block on a site adjacent to my house. Even though there was already an existing block of flats there. Which was structually sound and wasn't going anywhere.

That is, unless it accidently burned down or some other misfortune. During the day when everyone was at work. Or when most of the occupants were on holiday. As existing structures with secret architect plans to develop them seem to strangely tend commonly to do.

I neglected to ask who had commisioned the plans (I suspect it was a developer connected with our own firm). But who knows? Perhaps they were having a dry spell and decided to do the work for free!

But what he did say was that the plans were there, "just in case the opportunity presented itself" for they or some other organisation to build there.

I suspect that up and down the country there are plans in a good many architects offfices for re-developing a good many stable neighbourhoods and communities, just in case natural disaster, a favourable city council or a developer with deep pockets presents themselves.

Paul


slightly damaged

31.07.2005 21:06

this is again my house and this picture is of our "for sale" sign.

p.s does anybody know why there are "the church of scientology" walking round aimlessly looking at houses?

nestor


Ahem, Don't Think So...

31.07.2005 22:35

"I suspect that up and down the country there are plans in a good many architects offfices for re-developing a good many stable neighbourhoods and communities, just in case natural disaster, a favourable city council or a developer with deep pockets presents themselves"

Lets get this straight. You honestly believe that "a good many" architects have the time, or cash, just to wander around and casually redesign areas on the off chance that some accident befalls it? Presumably we're in league with dodgy developers?

But amazingly, despite the numbers involved, we've managed to keep this a secret from everyone for years?

Now I've seen a lot of conspiracy theories on this site, but one involving the construction industry is a new one on me! This fella has to be winding me up!!

That Bloody Architect


woops

01.08.2005 19:40


woops sorry that file didnt upload. this pic is of my "for sale" sign

nestor


Church Rd picture is actually Ladypool Road

12.08.2005 19:26

The picture of Church Road is mostly of Ladypool Road looking towards Church Road. Church Road starts at Woodstock Road - where the trees move out from the left at the top centre of the photo.

Mike

Karl's neighbour


Tornado Footage required

18.08.2005 15:42

Hi - having seen the amount of photographs on this website, I'm appealing to see if anyone has video footage taken from their mobiles of the tornado. We are making a documentary about the tornado for Channel 4, and would love to hear from anyone who has footage. you can email me  jo.locke@pioneertv.com or call me on 0208 846 8090.

Thanks, Jo Locke, Researcher, Britain's Tornado, C4

Jo Locke
mail e-mail: jo.locke@pioneertv.com
- Homepage: http://www.pioneertv.com


scaffolding

25.08.2005 14:47

scaffolding
scaffolding

i dont think anyone looks at this anymore but, i just had to share this pic of the scaffolding on alder rd balsall heath it looks absolutely amazing, heaven for someone who likes monkey bars.

nestor


Not ignored

12.01.2006 18:33

I first heard of the July 05 Hurricane on the day it happened, but the report (ATV Today) seemed to think the worst damage was in Kings Heath, though anyone familiar with Ladypool road could easily see where the main damage was.

The Guardian also covered the occurrence.

In fact, your own report could be accused of ignoring Ladypool, road - or at least, sidelining it. As I understand it, most of the damage happened there. I am surprised you didn't give the road more prominence.

bob

bob jones
mail e-mail: wordswort@yahoo.co.uk


What a load of rubbiush

11.02.2006 17:24

This artical is quite scurrilous. the fact is that large numbers of these properties are owned by private landlords who exploit the people who live in them and were too mean to insure them. As someone who knows the area well I have not contributed to any of the support funds for fear that this money will fall into their grubby hands. As to the commnets about properties that were damaged in Moseley, it is beneath contempt and typifies the divisive nature of the Heathen and the Balsall Heath Forum

Richard