THREE roofs were torn off houses as high winds from Storm Clodagh continued to batter Gwent this afternoon.

Electricity has been turned off at the houses in Cotman Close in St Julians after water started leaking through the ceilings and light fixtures.

Residents said the roof started ‘rippling like a Mexican wave’ on Monday morning, before it was torn off and landed in the garden later in the afternoon.

They said they heard a noise ‘like lightning’ and were plunged into darkness as the roof fell and blocked out their windows.

John Beal, 89, who has lived in one of the houses for more than 58 years, said that he heard the roof blow off shortly after he had lay down to take a nap before going to play bowls.

“I looked outside and didn’t see any damage, but the next thing I knew the roof had come off,” he said.

“Half of my neighbour’s roof had come off too.

“I got into a bit of a panic and rang my daughter, and she said to ring the fire service.”

Crews from Maindee fire station spent the afternoon making the roofs safe and helping the families affected deal with their insurers.

Building contractors were due to visit the site to ensure the roofs were water tight, as all three of the houses were suffering from water dripping through ceilings and light fixtures.

Steve Hulme, watch manager at Maindee fire station, said they were using small gear and ladders to make the roofs safe.

He added: “We have had to wait for the winds to die down before we could do anything as it was too unsafe for us.”

Thelma Fryett, 88, who has lived in the houses since 1955, said she heard a noise ‘like thunder’ when the roofs were torn off.

“It was horrific and blocked out all of my light as it fell across my window,” she said.

“I heard a terrific row like ma huge gust of wind and all of a sudden everything blew off.

“It was quite frightening and very traumatic.”

She added: “I’ve got no television as the satellite dish isn’t working, and there’s water coming through two of the lights upstairs too.”

Rosemary Keen, 59, who lives with her 93-year-old mother Marjorie Fothergill, said her father had designed the houses himself in his role as a quantity surveyor back in the 1950’s.

She said that in the morning she had seen the roof ‘rippling like a Mexican wave’, and when she had returned from church found that it had been torn off all three adjoining houses.

“I just couldn’t believe my eyes,” she said.

“To see it piled against the chimney and on the floor, with the firemen in the garden, was unbelievable.”

Firefighters spent much of Monday afternoon clearing away the damage and making the roof safe.

Mr Beal thanked them for their efforts.

"I've got all of the praise in the world for the firemen and the assistance I have received today," he said.

"They have been absolutely marvelous helping me, my daughter Anne and my son in law Rob.

"Everyone has joined together to help me and, after the initial shock, I feel that God is looking after me.

"I'm sure my fellow choristers at St John's Church will be shocked at the news when I tell them what happened."