Snitterby Carr resident describes terror as sudden gale brings down 40ft tree

A Lincolnshire woman has described the frightening moment a sudden burst of extreme wind tore through her property near Gainsborough, bringing down a large tree and damaging her home. Emma Rawlings, of Snitterby Carr, said the worst of Sunday evening's weather lasted only around five minutes, but left a lasting impression after what she called an aggressive spell of gusts. Speaking about the experience, she said the wind sounded like a train going over her house.

Rawlings said she was left clinging to her kitchen units as the gusts hit, adding that for a few moments she was too frightened to move. She said the wind appeared to come out of nowhere, and the noise was so intense she feared the roof might be torn away. During the short but violent episode, a 40ft conifer in her garden was blown down.

Damage was also caused to the house and fencing, underlining how quickly conditions can turn serious even during a brief weather event. The incident has struck a chord in Lincolnshire, where open landscapes and exposed roads can leave communities especially vulnerable when strong winds arrive suddenly. While many residents are used to unsettled weather, accounts such as this show how localised conditions can still catch people off guard.

According to Lincolnshire Police, there were about 30 reports of fallen trees across the county on Sunday. The force said the unexpected weather created heavy demand on resources, suggesting the disruption was felt well beyond one household. The Met Office said that in order to verify a tornado, clear photographic evidence is needed showing a rotating cloud making contact with the ground.

It added that tornadoes do happen in the UK, although they are usually small and short-lived, with around 30 to 35 reports on average each year. That does not confirm a tornado in this case, but it offers some context for the sort of intense and highly localised wind damage that can sometimes be seen after sudden storms. The Lincoln Post has not independently verified these claims.

For readers in Lincolnshire, the episode is a reminder of the hazards that can come with fast-changing weather, particularly in rural areas where trees, outbuildings and fencing may be more exposed. It also reflects the wider impact of Sunday's conditions across the county, with emergency services dealing with multiple reports as the winds moved through. For one resident in Snitterby Carr, however, the experience was not about weather statistics or technical explanations.

It was about a few alarming minutes in which an ordinary evening turned into something far more unsettling.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.