Families left homeless after a tree crashes into houses during Storm Dave’s winds
Heavy winds from Storm Dave caused a large tree to collapse onto two semi‑detached homes on Windsor Crescent in Kinver, leaving two families without shelter.
– Kinver, Staffordshire
Two families have been rendered homeless after a massive tree fell and smashed into their residences following the arrival of Storm Dave, which delivered unusually strong gusts across the region.
Fire crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue responded to a call placed at approximately 22:00 BST on Saturday, reporting that a tree had collapsed onto a dwelling and a parked vehicle on Windsor Crescent, Kinver, Staffordshire.
Images captured at the incident site reveal a sizable breach in the roofline of two adjoining semi‑detached houses; the impact also crushed a car beneath the fallen timber, leaving the vehicle’s chassis visibly deformed.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that no injuries were reported during the operation and that firefighters concluded their duties at around midnight, after securing the scene and ensuring that the structural integrity of the remaining portions of the houses was assessed.
Eyewitness account from Ryan Bridgewood
Ryan Bridgewood, a resident of one of the damaged homes on Windsor Crescent, Kinver, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the collapse. Ryan Bridgewood explained that the sound of the impact was comparable to an earthquake reverberating through the neighbourhood.
Ryan Bridgewood told Crickxo, "We just heard an almighty crash; it was like an earthquake had hit the house. I have watched those trees swaying in the wind before and have been worried about them."
Ryan Bridgewood continued, "As soon as I heard the bang, I looked outside and saw the tree leaning on the house and I feared for my kids' lives." Ryan Bridgewood emphasized the immediate concern for the safety of the two children present in the home at the time.
Ryan Bridgewood also mentioned that the family had to evacuate rapidly, taking only essential belongings, because the structural damage to the roof made the interior unsafe for continued occupancy.
Weather warnings issued ahead of Storm Dave
The Met Office had issued a series of alerts warning that Storm Dave would bring strong, sustained winds to the United Kingdom on Saturday evening, accompanied by intermittent periods of heavy rain.
Amber and yellow national severe weather warnings were broadcast for large swathes of northern England, North Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, indicating that the public should prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.
The Met Office description of Storm Dave specifically highlighted the likelihood of trees being uprooted or snapped, especially in areas where the soil had been saturated by recent rainfall.
Local authorities in Kinver, Staffordshire, were advised to remain on standby to assist residents affected by any property damage stemming from the storm, and to coordinate with emergency services such as Staffordshire Fire and Rescue.
Community response and support
Following the incident, neighbours in Kinver gathered to offer immediate assistance to the families displaced by the fallen tree. Temporary shelter was arranged at the local community centre, where volunteers provided blankets, bottled water, and basic food supplies.
Charitable organisations operating in the Stoke‑on‑Trent and Staffordshire area have pledged to support the families through donations of clothing, toiletries, and financial contributions to assist with the rebuilding process.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue also coordinated with the local council to ensure that a structural engineer would inspect the remaining sections of the two houses, determining whether repair work could be undertaken or if demolition would be required.
The incident has reignited a discussion within Kinver about the importance of regular tree maintenance, especially in residential streets where mature trees grow close to property boundaries.
