Tornado strikes New Zealand 03/05/2011

[thied]

Two New Zealanders are reported dead and others injured in a tornado that has hit Auckland's North Shore.

 

Police say the tornado ripped the roof off the Albany Megacentre shopping mall in North Shore City about 3pm (1pm AEST).

 

According to reports, the "mass of black clouds" tossed aside cars in its path and sent shoppers running.

 

Police have confirmed there are "numerous injuries" caused by the tornado.

 

Emergency services say the tornado followed a straight line south from Albany before dying out near Pt Chevalier to the west of Auckland Central.

 

It has been reported on weatherwatch.co.nz that the tornado would have had an average wind speed of 200km/hr.

 

Its head weather analyst Philip Duncan says that damage is consistent with wind speeds of between 180 and 200km/hr.

 

An eye-witness in Albany described the tornado as sounding like rolling thunder. They saw the tornado heading south towards the Harbour Bridge and could see debris being flung everywhere in its wake.

 

Martin Sibrits, of Rebel Sports, told Fairfax New Zealand the tornado was "simply unbelievable".

 

"It was huge. I could see pieces of iron flying through the air, 100 metres up," he said.

 

He said the neighbouring Placemakers hardware store had taken the biggest hit.

 

"That place is looking like a bomb site."

 

From his window he could see many cars in the parking lot had been damaged and several injured people were seeking help.

 

full storty and vids at

 

 

http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/9304122/tornado-strikes-new-zealand/

 

 

 

Love Thied.

 

 

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[thied]

Govt 'closely monitoring' Auckland tornado situation

Prime Minister John Key says the Government is closely monitoring the situation in Auckland after the city was struck by a tornado today.

 

Mr Key said he had spoken to the police commissioner, who had confirmed two people had died and at least 10 people had suffered serious injuries.

 

"Obviously it's been a very powerful and quite devastating tornado that's caused a significant amount of damage in a very localised area," Mr Key told media this evening.

 

The information was patchy, and work was still going on to establish the level of destruction, as well as what risks still existed from damaged buildings.

 

"The MP for Northcote, Minister Jonathan Coleman, is going up this evening and I'll obviously monitor that situation to see what else the Government might be able to do."

 

Mr Key said he had left a message for Auckland Mayor Len Brown offering Government support.

 

 

 

full story at

 

http://www.3news.co.nz/Govt-closely-monitoring-Auckland-tornado-situation/tabid/419/articleID/209625/Default.aspx