While England has more reported tornadoes, relative to its land area, than any other country, the vast majority are weak. According to the Met Office, around 30 tornadoes hit the UK every year, though most are small and dissipate without causing significant damage.[1]
Several tornadoes have struck the city of Birmingham. A T6/F3 tornado struck the city in 1931, killing one woman and severely damaging hundreds of houses.[2] On 23 November 1981, during a record-breaking nationwide tornado outbreak, two tornadoes touched down within the Birmingham city limits – in Erdington and Selly Oak – with six tornadoes touching down within the boundaries of the wider West Midlands county.[3]
At around 2:37PM, the tornado began in Howard Road, Kings Heath. Crossing the High Street, several buildings sustained roof damage, including a roof torn off and thrown across the road. A woman was taken to hospital after being struck by flying debris.
Continuing northeastward into Wake Green, the tornado began causing more significant damage to trees and homes. Several streets including Blenheim Rd were completely blocked by fallen trees.
Reaching Balsall Heath, several shops had their windows blown out and lost portions of their roofs. Several rows of terraced homes along Birchwood Road and Alder Road in Balsall Heath had their roofs torn off, and top floor walls torn down. Cars were rolled several meters (yards) down driveways. Trees were flattened in Balsall Heath park.
Continuing northwards across Stratford Road, Ladypool Primary School was extensively damaged and lost its distinctive Martin & Chamberlain tower. The adjacent St Agatha's Church also suffered some damage. Christ Church (consecrated in 1867), on the corner of Dolobran Road and Grantham Road in Sparkbrook, was also damaged and has now been demolished.[4][5]
Farm Park, Sparkhill suffers severe damage. The tornado then reaches the A45 carriageway, falling briefly to T3 intensity, it approaches Coventry Road where it strikes a Wedding Hall with T4 intensity.
Following this, the tornado suddenly weakens to a force T1-2 as it continues northwards past St Andrew’s Stadium. A brick wall is blown down at Saltley Viaduct, and minor tree damage is noted along Heartlands Parkway at the intersection with Cuckoo Road.
The tornado crosses the M6 Motorway just east of the Gravelly Hill interchange. TV Aerial damage is found in The Oval, Erdington, as well as minor roof damage. The final instance of damage came from Erdington Abbey, where trees suffered minor branch damage. [6]
There were no fatalities, although there were approximately 39 injuries, three of which were reported to be serious. The tornado uprooted an estimated 1,100 trees, caused serious damage to homes, businesses, schools and churches.[7] The tornado is the costliest on record in the UK, having caused £40 million of damage, equivalent to £75 million in 2023.[8]
Three months later, on October 12 2005, an IF2 tornado caused damage to roofs in Dovey Road, Moseley, less than a mile from the path of the July 28 tornado.[12][3]
