Auckland, 06 Dec. – Today afternoon a have storm, tornado and rain hit Auckland area. In this condition police confirmed 3 people have been killed and 7 injured during. About 150 homes were damaged at Whenuapai and many were deemed uninhabitable….. or were without power. About 300 residents had been evacuated to Whenuapai Air Force Base and Auckland Council welfare staff were assisting them.
Electricity was off in numerous parts of Auckland including Henderson, Greenhithe, Hobsonville, Riverhead, Meadowbank and St Johns. There was widespread surface flooding on roads and motorways throughout Auckland and motorists are urged to take care or stay off the roads if possible.
A tornado hit Hobsonville during the storm, tearing down trees and ripping panels from the motorway. Fire, police and ambulance raced to multiple callouts in Hobsonville and Upper Harbour. Defence Force personnel were going door to door to check on people and emergency services were trying to clear blocked roads.
At 1.52pm MetService weather radar detected thunderstorms near Auckland, Orewa, Albany, the inner Hauraki Gulf, Daily Flat, Whangaparaoa and Silverdale. The Defence Force was on standby, and an emergency centre has been set up at the air base.
