GEORGE TOWN: A freak storm has caused damage in several areas, toppling trees and ripping roofs of food stalls.

       Social media was abuzz with pictures and videos of uprooted trees across the island and several places on the mainland on Tuesday (Feb 8).

       State environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said among the places reported by the Civil Defense Force where trees were uprooted were Jalan Zainal Abidin and Jalan Tengku in George Town.

       “The uprooted trees at Jalan Tengku fell on top of a car. However no one was injured,” he said in a text message.

       The strong winds, which started after 5pm, also caused motorists at Penang Bridge to slow down their vehicles due to strong winds.

       A video shows many motorcyclists stopping their machines as winds lash violently.

       A path towards Bukit Bendera was also blocked after several trees fell.

       Several uprooted trees were reported in mainland Penang, especially at North Seberang Prai.

       The storm also damaged the roofs of a food court near the Sungai Ara mini stadium on Jalan Tun Dr Awang and a food stall in Taman Abidin, Jelutong.

       No flash floods or casualties have been reported so far.

       The Malaysian Meteorological Department had issued a secondary warning on strong winds and rough seas at about 5pm on Tuesday with thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds expected over the waters of Perlis, Kedah and Penang.

       It had forecast strong winds up to 50 kmph and rough seas with waves up to 3.5m, which is dangerous to small boats.