ALFRETON TORNADO: Council praises school staff and volunteers for their help

School staff and volunteers who helped to make sure residents were safe after the Alfreton mini-tornado have been praised by Derbyshire County Council.
Tornado hits Catherine Street, Alfreton.Tornado hits Catherine Street, Alfreton.
Tornado hits Catherine Street, Alfreton.

The authority’s emergency planning team set up a rest centre at nearby Flowery Leys Lane School for about 45 residents who had to be evacuated while building damage was assessed.

The council’s Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers were also at the scene along with Red Cross workers, the emergency services and staff from Amber Valley Borough Council.

Councillor Dave Allen, cabinet member for health and communities, said: “Our emergency planning team was at the scene to help with the evacuation and were joined by adult care staff to help with vulnerable older residents.

“Only one couple needed emergency accommodation and other residents made their own arrangements but we have to be prepared and could not have done this as efficiently as we did without help from staff at the school and volunteers.

“I’d like to thank them for helping us, the emergency services and borough council handle a serious situation as quickly and safely as possible.”

Flowery Leys Lane School headteacher Nic Way said: “It was heartening to see so many people turn up to help last night – there was a real sense of community spirit.”

He returned to the school at 7pm with the caretaker to switch on lights and heating.