Strong winds are battering parts of New Zealand, with heavy swells set for parts of the lower North Island and damage reported from a tornado which swept through Levin this morning.
A heavy swell warning is in place along the Kapiti/ Porirua coast from Ōtaki to Pipinui Point until 6pm today.
Council provides update after tornado hits Levin
In an update at 12pm, Horowhenua District Council confirmed Levin was hit by a tornado at approximately 7.45am taking down trees, impacting utilities lines and lifting roofs and fences.
Horowhenua District Council Mayor Mayor Bernie Wanden said Levin had suffered “significant damage in various parts” of Levin township.
He said some people in the community were feeling “pretty anxious” following the tornado, but was glad most of the damage was superficial and nobody was injured.
Wanden said it was “quite a surprise but not unexpected” to be informed of a tornado in the area, after a tornado previously hit in May 2022.
“Unfortunately our community has had to deal with a similar event a few years ago,” he said.
Wanden said the focus would now shift to focus on cleaning up the debris.
“There will be welfare checks out and about this afternoon, knocking on doors and ensuring people are safe. But what I’ve seen from driving around this afternoon is people getting on with it. Neighbours helping people from the other side of town, chipping in, and most of the cleanup I’m sure will be done quite quickly.”
Chief executive at Horowhenua District Council Monique Davidson gave an overview of damage and said it was “incredible to see how much work has already occurred in the cleanup phase”.
She said damage had been reported at:
- • SH1 Levin by Adventure Park
- • Wilton Street
- • Carlisle Street
- • Bartholomew Road
- • Playford Park
- • Meadowvale Drive
- • Waikawa Beach
- • Parker Avenue
- • Mersey Street
- • Fryberg Street
- • SH1 South of Foxton
- • Tiro Tiro Road and Collingwood Street intersection
- • Rodney Street
She said contractors were working hard clearing debris, unblocking drains and supporting impacted households.
“Fortunately, it appears that this morning is not as significant as the tornado event in May 2022, but we are aware that many of those properties impacted were those properties impacted in May 2022,” Davidson said.
Fire and Emergency assistant commander Craig Gold said crews responded to 12 calls around Levin, and council were now leading the response.
“Skip bins are being distributed to assist affected residents in Collingwood Street and Wilton Street,” the council said.
Local Controller Brent Harvey said “fortunately it appears the event this morning is not as significant as the Levin tornado event of May 2022”.
“We’ll continue to work closely with affected residents as the recovery continues.”
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Earlier, MetService meteorologist Katie Hillyer said a “very organised line of rain and thunderstorms moved through Otaki and Levin at around 8am this morning”.
“This band had an incredibly strong wind signal along it (hinting at very large gusts).
“There is some evidence that there could have been a tornado along that line, but without seeing more photos from the track of damage on the ground we cannot determine from radar alone if a tornado occurred,” she said.
“What we can say for certain though, is that there have already been very strong and gusty winds around the region this morning, so that coupled with a very localised intense line of gusty thunderstorms, it is not surprising that there are damages. This line was very short lived and has since eased off, so any line like that from now is much less likely.”
‘Windy and wet’ conditions in Wellington
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office regional manager Dan Neely told 1News this morning he had “not observed any significant impacts from the swell warning or recent thunderstorms over the past few hours”.
“Conditions remain windy and wet, so we’re advising drivers to be especially cautious as there may be some surface flooding and debris on the roads,” he said.
“With the swell warning still in place until 6pm tonight, we also advise people to take care when walking or driving near roads and beaches exposed to the sea, particularly around high tide during the early morning commute.”
Neely urged surfers, divers, recreational reef fishers, and surfcasters to avoid exposed coastal areas until the warning has lifted and to check the forecast before heading out on a boat.
A Hutt City Council spokesperson said there was surface flooding earlier this morning on The Esplanade and Jackson St, which has since subsided.
“Surface flooding remains on Seaview’s Barnes St and Port Rd. Work is underway to clear the stormwater drains in that area. We urge motorists to be vigilant and drive to the conditions.”
An orange strong wind warning was also in effect for Banks Peninsula for seven hours from 11am, with severe gale southwesterlies gusting 120km/h in exposed places expected.
Wairarapa including the Tararua District, Hawke’s Bay about and south of Hastings, Tasman northwest of Motueka, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds, Coastal areas of Dunedin and North Otago, Canterbury Plains, Christchurch and the Chatham Islands were all under a strong wind watch.
“Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles,” MetService said.
“A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria within 20km of the coast. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.”
Road reopens following earlier closure
Heavy weather brought down a number of trees in Levin this morning, earlier closing part of State Highway 1.
In a statement to 1News, a police spokesperson said a tree fell on a vehicle on Oxford St shortly before 8am, but that nobody was injured or trapped.
An earlier diversion on Oxford Street has been lifted and the road is open to through traffic.