By Caroline Gall BBC News, Birmingham

Many people have still not returned to Alder Road Enlarge Image

Twenty people were injured - three of them seriously - homes were destroyed, trees uprooted and roads closed.

As the severity of the sudden storm dawned, residents salvaged what they could from their ravaged homes and moved to temporary accommodation not knowing when they could return.

But one year on, several families are still homeless, many people are in debt due to costly repairs and having no insurance and the regeneration of Balsall Heath, one of the most deprived wards in England, has been severely set back.

More than 1,000 properties in Kings Heath, Moseley, Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath were checked for damage after the tornado struck on 28 July last year.

Residents' fight to return

Figures from Birmingham City Council reveal 420 were damaged to varying degrees, 122 had serious roof damage and 80 were considered to be in a dangerous condition.

In Balsall Heath, part of the city's bustling Balti district, two roads in particular took the brunt.

Nearly every roof in Birchwood Road and adjoining Alder Road was torn off by the storm and part of Alder Road remains closed 12 months on.

Some of the properties are run by Moseley and District Housing Association which said its remaining 10 properties in Alder Road are "coming back into use" at the end of July and August.

The delay is due to a major upgrade on the homes and structural complications.

�100,000 donation

But, when the residents do move back, they will still have to wait to have access to their back gardens because of an "unforeseen problem" with a main wall at the rear of the properties.

Claims by locals that street lighting still does not work and that no clear action plan has been confirmed for the area has left many resenting the way the council dealt with the aftermath.

I know one child who, when it is windy, won't go into the garden Esther Boyd, Tang

Esther Boyd, who lives on nearby Queenswood Road, said she soon became aware that many residents were struggling to get basic information from the council.

This prompted her to set up the Tornado Affected Neighbourhood Group, or Tang, with fellow Balsall Heath residents.

The group, which helps victims from the four affected areas, has so far raised �20,000 from within the community and through the Birmingham Foundation charity. Birmingham City Council has recently donated �100,000.

"The positive side to it is the community involvement, the negative is the trauma to the children," she said.

"I know one child who, when it is windy, won't go into the garden.

"When it happened, people didn't know what help was available to them and children had nightmares.

Alder Road remains closed while the repair work continues

"The money raised goes to anyone affected by the tornado. It's to replace basic things that people need."

However, the council said the vast majority of damaged properties have now either been repaired or made safe, but it conceded that the incident has caused "lasting damage" to the area.

In January, plans were announced for a �260m renovation scheme for the Sparkbrook area over the next 10 years, creating up to 2,000 jobs.

The council was to pay �15m and wanted �55m from the government, with other organisations providing the rest. A council spokesman said it is currently awaiting a response from the government

But despite the disappointment, locals speak of the "Dunkirk spirit" that got them through the disaster and are happy that the community has pulled together.