A highly unusual weather phenomenon caused by the dry, hot and windy conditions was caught on camera over homes in Chard this past weekend.
The bizarre sight was reported by residents at the Blackdown Heights estate, near Crimchard, which is positioned next to farming land.
Thousands of pieces of dry hay and debris appeared to fly and float above the homes on Saturday, August 1, creating surreal scenes caught on video by perplexed residents.
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William O'Neill told the Chard and Ilminster News: "It was high (about 100 metres at least) and came from the farmer's field opposite us on the other side of Crimchard.
"It must have lasted just a few minutes or so but was spectacular. It looked like a Hollywood disaster film."
William thinks the flying hay was caused by a 'Hay Devil', a naturally occurring phenomenon that can happen in dry, hot and slightly windy weather.
Hay Devils occur when a pocket of hot air rises fast from a warm field. If the wind blows just right, the rising air begins to turn in a circle, creating a gentle whirlwind and lifting bits of grass and hay high into the air.
William added that the wind "dumped hay all over our estate", and "there is plenty of hay to be seen still on the road and in people's gutters" in the following days.
Despite the mess caused by the spontaneous flying hay, William says the experience was still very special: "It was really incredible to see that... I feel pretty lucky, to be honest."
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