Shocking footage has captured the moment a tornado tore through a residential street in Barking, east London causing widespread chaos and destruction. The rare weather event struck in the area shortly after 8pm on Friday evening causing people to shelter indoors as flying debris damaged cars and homes.

       One shocked resident captured the "twister" on camera with the high winds sending trees flying across the road.

       Wheelie bins, rubbish and roof tiles can be seen being hurled about by the force of the gale.

       Elsewhere the extreme weather caused garden walls to collapse leaving only piles of bricks still standing.

       Sky News’ Kiran Bhangal tweeted: “Just experienced a tornado in Barking east London."

       Barking and Dagenham Police said in a statement: "Police were called at around 1920hrs to reports of damage caused to roofs, electrical equipment, street furniture and vehicles in Hulse Avenue and some surrounding roads in the Barking area.

       "This is a weather-related incident, during which there was a lightning strike."

       It comes as thunderstorms and heavy rains have hit northeast London and Kent.

       The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the area with residents advised to expect some flooding and travel disruption.

       The Met Office warning reads: "Slow-moving thunderstorms are producing very heavy rain, lightning and hail across northeast Greater London, south Essex and far north Kent.

       "Whilst heavy rainfall is quite localised, some places may see 30-40 mm of rainfall in an hour with hail and lightning additional hazards. This thunderstorm is expected to weaken later this evening."

       A local resident told Express.co.uk: “The storm has just got here and it’s coming down. A mate three miles away who got it before us said there was a river running down his road.

       “The rain is really hammering down on our roof, it’s almost as loud as our voices.”

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       Tornadoes considered rare in the UK but can occur yearly, according to the Met Office,

       The Met Office website states: "Around 30 tornadoes a year are reported in the UK.

       "These are typically small and short-lived.

       "But can cause structural damage if they pass over built-up areas."