A tornado hit the town of Waitara in Taranaki yesterday, causing damage to buildings, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
The tornado, which came alongside an outbreak of cold weather, created a waterspout and lifted roofs, Radio NZ reported. Light objects such as trampolines were also blown away.
There were no reported casualties and injuries, and the insurance industry is on standby for any property claims that will come in the next few days. Several businesses have already contacted their insurers to work out repairs, the report said.
According to Dennis Crow, chief fire officer of the Waitara Volunteer Brigade, the tornado damaged some buildings and blew the debris across the river. He added that residents did not expect the tornado and the extent of damage it caused.
“There were no injuries or anything. Basically, people were working away and then there must have been some sort of tornado that came down the river […] and it hit those buildings and took the roof off,” Crow told RNZ.
“We secured the roofing down and provided covers [to an affected store owner], things like that, for all of his machinery, so they didn't get wet, because I'm led to believe there is meant to be some wind and rain coming tonight.”
Severe weather warnings have been raised across central and southern New Zealand, with strong rains, gale-force winds and heavy snow expected.
MetService advised the public to keep updated with weather forecasts amid the outbreak of cold weather.
