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A mini 'tornado' hit a housing estate today, as heavy rain and gale-force winds battered the country.

Footage has revealed the damage the windstorm has caused as residents in Widnes, Cheshire, try to clean-up the debris.

In the video posted on Twitter uprooted trees, fallen fences and collapsed brick walls are seen beneath the grey skies in the northwest town. 

According to Cheshire Constabulary there have been no reported injuries.

A spokesperson said: 'At 12.25pm on Wednesday 20 October police received reports of a mini tornado in the Widnes area. The damage includes a wall falling down, windows of cars smashed and debris on Camberwell Road.

'A number of road closures are in place including Camberwell Road at the junction of Moorfield. Damage has also occurred to the garage of a property on Kensington Close.'  

A Met Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The weather set-up in the area means that a tornado was possible around midday today in Widnes, although without clear footage of the event it's difficult to confirm whether the damaging winds were from a tornado or not.' 

BBC weather forecaster Simon King tweeted similar video footage of the aftermath of the suspected windstorm saying: 'Looking at the damage, it's likely there was a tornado in Widnes this afternoon.'

According to the Met Office tornadoes are not uncommon in the UK and we get, on average, around 35 per year, though numbers can vary markedly from year-to-year.

Reports of tornadoes in the UK are mainly in summer and autumn and are usually relatively narrow and short-lived affairs, typically lasting for only a few minutes and with tracks no more than a few kilometres long and a diameter of less than 100-200 metres.

The weather phenomenon caused tress to become uprooted and fences to collapse in the cul-de-sac

The town of Widnes was 'devastated' by a mini tornado on Wednesday afternoon, as residents clean up the debris

Like much of the country, the northwest town has been subject to gale-force winds and torrential rain

Tornado reports in the UK tend to be mainly in summer and autumn and are usually relatively narrow and short-lived affairs

A number of road closures are in place including Camberwell Road (pictured) at the junction of Moorfield in Widnes, Cheshire

Tornadoes are not uncommon in the UK and we get around 35 per year, though numbers can vary from year-to-year

BBC weather forecaster Simon King tweeted similar video footage of the aftermath of the suspected windstorm

Much of the country is braced for heavy rain and gale-force winds over the next couple of days. 

The Met Office today issued a severe weather warning for rain which will lash much of southern England and the whole of Wales between Wednesday and Thursday.

Strong winds, hail, lightning strikes, and possible flooding could also occur in the affected areas.

Thunderstorms spread across Wales and the west of the country this morning before heavy rain also besieged the north of England, as Manchester and Liverpool contend with blustery showers and cool temperatures.

The bad weather is likely to disrupt travel, the Met Office said, and experts advised drivers to take greater care on the roads.

Businesses and homes could also be affected by potential power cuts in the coming days. 

The Met Office said that Wednesday will be: 'Windy with rain and showers for many, particularly Wales, southwest and central England where lightning and hail is likely, mostly during the morning.' 

Brighton UK 20th October 2021 - Workmen at Black Rock in Brighton continue to work in stormy conditions as waves crash over the marina wall behind . More heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for the UK today

High winds whip up huge waves that batter the Newhaven lighthouse and harbour in East Sussex, pictured today, October 20

On Wednesday night, heavy rain will run east across southern England with coastal gales also possible. 

However, much of Wales and central England will remain dry, with rain and showers over Scotland moving south.

As for Thursday, temperatures are looking cooler across the UK, especially in the north and east with strong winds and gales in the far northeast. 

It will also be a cold start on Friday, with scattered showers in the north, and again for Saturday, before rain and milder weather spreads from the west.

Snow could also be on the horizon.

The Mountain Weather Information Service said: 'Snow may well fall on summits in England and Wales, and below 600m in Scotland's Highlands, in a significantly colder air stream on Thursday and Friday,' the Mirror reported. 

On Wednesday, showers will push eastwards through the morning, some of these heavy, with a risk of hail, thunder and gusty winds. Showers will become more isolated later, with a maximum temperature 18C. Early rain will clear on Thursday with colder and breezier temperatures but bright and sunny spells. Scattered showers most likely towards the east, with coastal gales developing. Maximum temperature 12 C. Friday will be bright with summer spells making way for the occasional shower.

Meanwhile, more than 375 homes are without electricity in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, this morning, and around 80 have been blacked out at Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.

In Devon, there's a flood warning for River Avon at South Brent, Avonwick and Aveton Gifford.

A pile-up blocked the M5 southbound carriageway this morning from Junction 30 to Junction 31 at Exeter. 

Many river levels are rising rapidly - the Environment Agency issued several flood warnings, including one for residents living near the Frome in Maiden Newton, Dorset.

The Environment Agency said: 'Due to some unexpected intense rainfall, river levels have risen quickly at the Maiden Newton, consequently we are expecting possible flooding of property. 

'There is further rainfall due for the next few hours, some of which could be heavy. We are closely monitoring the situation.

The agency added: 'Please can owners with property flood resilience equipment install it now and stay aware in case further warnings are issued.' 

Police have warned motorists to slow down because many roads are flooded.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said 'People are driving too fast, even on the M4, where sheets of rain water are forming small lakes and cars can quickly start to aquaplane and career out of control.'