By Tadas Kaminskas – TK Photography
On Wednesday, 23rd July 2025, Eastbourne was hit by a sudden and intense thunderstorm that swept through the skies above the town an extraordinary weather event I was lucky enough to capture from above with my drone camera.
Storm Overview
- Torrential downpours and fierce thunderstorms struck Eastbourne mid-afternoon. The Met Office issued a warning ahead of the storm, noting that parts of East Sussex could see up to 40 mm of rain within one to two hours.
- Local roads quickly flooded, most notably the A259 Seaside, where drains overwhelmed by heavy rainfall caused manhole covers to pop and water to gush across the roadway.
Unusual Phenomena: Tornado or Funnel Cloud?
Eyewitnesses captured what appears to be a funnel cloud or possible tornado, forming briefly over the Eastbourne area. After photos and video clips were shared online, several weather experts weighed in, suggesting that localized rotational wind activity may have briefly developed into a tornado-like vortex. While the event was likely short-lived and locally confined, it added a dramatic edge to an already powerful storm.
Drone Perspective
From the air, the storm was both beautiful and intimidating. Dark, heavy clouds stretched across the horizon. Below, the sea turned grey green under swirling cloud shadows, rippling with gust-lashed waves captured in high-resolution detail that only aerial photography can provide. Buildings along the shoreline were surrounded by sudden haze and precipitation, while storms rolled in just offshore, offering glimpses of light and contrast.
Final Thoughts & Images
This was one of the most visually compelling weather events I’ve captured in Eastbourne. My drone shots bring the storm to life: the ominous cloud base, the surge of rainfall, and the raw energy swirling just above the sea.
