Tornado rips through rural Bay of Plenty community of Awakeri along SH30
A tornado has swept through the small Bay of Plenty community of Awakeri this afternoon, tearing roofs from homes and damaging several properties along State Highway 30.
Emergency services were called to the area just before 3pm.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern communications shift manager Paul Radden said calls were received advising that a tornado damaged several properties in Awakeri.
“We have responded with four crews from Edgecumbe and Whakatāne,” Radden said.
“There have been several properties damaged by the tornado. There have also been roofs lifted off houses.”
Awakeri resident Stelhen Hermansen told the Herald the tornado ripped a chunk of his shed’s roof off.
“It was teeming with rain, and I saw my decking furniture was moving and then I looked to my right and saw my roof come off my shed,” Hermansen said.
“It might have lasted 10 to 15 seconds. It happened very quickly.”
His son Blake Hermansen told the Herald he had been in the shed when it happened and described it as “an experience”.
“You look out the window and it’s windy and heavy rain, and then all of a sudden you watch the rain swirl and you hear a big wack,” Blake Hermansen said.
“You look outside and see your roof sitting in the paddock and you go into the shed and see daylight. It’s never a good sign.”
Blake Hermansen said he didn’t have time to process the whole experience because it all happened so quickly.
“You just thought it was a bit of heavy rain and heavy wind that was going to pass. But as quick as it started, it ended.”
Awakeri resident Mark told the Bay of Plenty Times that iron from one neighbour’s roof had blown 250-300m down on to his property, and another neighbour’s garage roof blew off.
He said the storm front blew through quickly about 3pm.
“It was raining hard and then the wind picked up, and there was a loud noise.“
He looked out a window and saw foliage blowing around in the opposite direction to the main wind gusts.
“It blew through quickly then there was hail and rain.”
His wife Leanne said their home had minor damage but still had its roof.
“It was pretty wild. It was loud and then suddenly, it was over.”
Police said they were are also attending, after being notified about 3.05pm.
Residents in the wider Awakeri area have reported rain, hail and lots of wind.
At the scene?
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