Hundreds of residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the Birmingham tornado will need Government aid, MPs have warned.
Local Government Minister Phil Woolas is to visit the city today to see for himself the damage which is estimated at tens of millions of pounds.
He was urged by MP Roger Godsiff to look at providing financial assistance for residents whose homes were wrecked or may be demolished.
Local agencies such as the city council or emergency services may also need financial help, MPs warned.
The twister tore through the south of the city on Thursday, leaving 20 people injured and hundreds of homes wrecked. Insurance industry officials yesterday said the damage could run into tens of millions of pounds.
The Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath areas bore the brunt of the damage.
Parts of the affected areas remained cordoned off yesterday and dozens of householders were still waiting to hear when they could return home. Others faced the prospect of their properties being demolished.
Mr Godsiff (Lab Sparkbrook and Small Heath) said he had written to Ministers asking what would be done for householders.
"I visited the area affected as soon as I heard. I saw what had happened in Montgomery Street and the surrounding area. It was not possible to get close to Stratford Road.
"I have written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) seeking additional financial support for Birmingham to deal with it, and raising the question of assistance for people who don't have home insurance or relevant personal insurance."
Mr Godsiff is to accompany Mr Woolas as he visits the areas most badly damaged today.
They will meet emergency services and some of the families affected.
Selly Oak MP Lynne Jones (Lab) added: "It is absolutely awful and it is going to take a lot of work to deal with the damage.
"You don't expect that kind of disastrous situation in Birmingham."
Mr Woolas said: "Our thoughts are with the residents of Kings Heath, Moseley, Sparkhill, Sparkbrook, Small Heath and the surrounding areas that took the brunt of the impact.
"I am particularly pleased to know that local emergency services, the council and the residents have all continued to work together in the face of such adversity.
"I am looking forward to hearing first hand from some of the residents who were affected and some of those who are housed in temporary accommodation and to see how the Government may help."
Last night, the woman heading the city council's Emergency Plan response to Thursday's events said building surveyors had inspected and prepared reports on over 1,000 properties.
Sharon Lea, director of community services and reslilience, said: "We know 200 properties are either unsafe or next to unsafe structures and we are providing support for those people affected to either make their own arrangements or to be accommodated at Birmingham Sports Centre or Birmingham University."
She said more than 500 city council staff were working "24-7" to help residents who had gone through the trauma of Thursday afternoon.
Steve Vickers, general manager of the council's urban design team which carried out property inspections and repairs where possible, said they had to clear asbestos released from shattered roof tiles before they could progress with other work.
