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?