Thunderstorms and damage reports, N.I. Wed 4th July

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:24

Many reports of roofs off and wind damage coming in from New Plymouth right now!!.. some reporting a tornado

Placemakers there has roof blown off and fire reported

The line of storms seems to be weakening a bit towards Auckland now, but it is quite a good setup I think, sems to be a more active line with lightning further behind too

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:37

So far reports of at least 10 roofs off in a small area of central New Plymouth!

NZstorm · Unread post by **NZstorm** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:44

Thanks for that update Ricky.

Little bit of a gust front crossing Auckland atm.

spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:45

So far reports of at least 10 roofs off in a small area of central New Plymouth!

Interesting report Ricki.

Yes, our first line of Cb's has weakened but another active thundery line behind is moving this way.

spike_01 · Unread post by **spike_01** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:51

NZ Police CommCens Alert 13:00 4-07-2007 Central

Location of incident: Central New Plymouth

Incident Type: Tornado hits New Plymouth

Police and other emergency services are currently on scene in the area of Molesworth St and Gover St, New Plymouth after a tornado has ripped off roofs and damaged buildings in the area. Unknown injuries at this stage.
Issued By: Team Leader Stacey Robinson

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:55

Looks like the second line approaching Akl is really firing up as i guess the upper trough is digging further NE slowly

GraemeWi · Unread post by **GraemeWi** » Wed 04/07/2007 13:56

Quick shot off the balcony here at work at 2.50pm

Fujita Phil · Unread post by **Fujita Phil** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:00

Great shot

dannews · Unread post by **dannews** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:02

tornado ripped through New Plymouth early this afternoon lifting roofs, smashing windows and throwing debris around the city centre.

Twenty houses and businesses have borne the brunt of the damage and the roof of a Placemakers store has been partially lifted off, according to a police source.

A witness said a 10 x 10 metre section of the roof was torn off and landed on around 6 cars, causing extensive damage.

Two shopkeepers on the main street spoken to by the Herald said police and other emergency services are currently on the scene in the area of Molesworth St and Gover St, New Plymouth.

Resident Kathryn Calvert said the city had come to a stand-still.

"It looks like it came up from the sea and it's taken the entire roof off the (Placemakers) building."

"I was driving along and saw bits of tree on the road. I must have missed it by 30 seconds."

She said her friend who works near the Place Makers said it sounded like a train had hit the building.

"It's very exciting for us. It doesn't happen very often. There are loads of fire engines in town."

The windows of a nearby sports grandstand have also been blown out.

Civil defence has been mobilised but it is not yet known whether anyone has been injured.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF

spike_01 · Unread post by **spike_01** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:03

This was yesterday about this time... It was like the lights went out...

Willoughby · Unread post by **Willoughby** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:03

Just started raining moderately here.. no thunder signs yet. Sounded like a good tornado there in New Plymouth.

That line of Cb's sure did get quite organised quickly!

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:16

wow, no rain from that line here but looking straight up to some amazing fast buildups with what looked like pilleus pouring over the top, all over a ragged dark base, must sure be cold up there! Next line is really firing up now!

gopolks · Unread post by **gopolks** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:25

dannews wrote:tornado ripped through New Plymouth early this afternoon lifting roofs, smashing windows and throwing debris around the city centre.

Twenty houses and businesses have borne the brunt of the damage and the roof of a Placemakers store has been partially lifted off, according to a police source.

A witness said a 10 x 10 metre section of the roof was torn off and landed on around 6 cars, causing extensive damage.

Two shopkeepers on the main street spoken to by the Herald said police and other emergency services are currently on the scene in the area of Molesworth St and Gover St, New Plymouth.

Resident Kathryn Calvert said the city had come to a stand-still.

"It looks like it came up from the sea and it's taken the entire roof off the (Placemakers) building."

"I was driving along and saw bits of tree on the road. I must have missed it by 30 seconds."

She said her friend who works near the Place Makers said it sounded like a train had hit the building.

"It's very exciting for us. It doesn't happen very often. There are loads of fire engines in town."

The windows of a nearby sports grandstand have also been blown out.

Civil defence has been mobilised but it is not yet known whether anyone has been injured.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF

Scary, but must of been so exciting to see.

gllitz · Unread post by **gllitz** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:31

From the article on stuff.co.nz:

"I went outside and heard a roar like thunder, looked into the sky and saw pieces of corrugated iron floating into the sky ? time to go inside! "
David Fox

...time to go inside...classic...you're @#$@# right it is!!

dannews · Unread post by **dannews** » Wed 04/07/2007 14:36

Pics appearing on Herald site now.

Brassnz · Unread post by **Brassnz** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:06

Loud thunder and torrential rain here in Laingholm. So cool...!

Michael · Unread post by **Michael** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:13

Thunder here now almost night time like 17Â° nil wind

spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:16

Lightning, Thunder, hail, rain, wind here

C-Nimbus · Unread post by **C-Nimbus** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:19

yes same here too with some significant surface flooding.

the system looked to of had a gust front associated with it as it came thru

great stuff

Michael · Unread post by **Michael** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:25

Forked lightning to the north

C-Nimbus · Unread post by **C-Nimbus** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:30

all gone quiet now but i see from the 3pm radar that this storm(s) was part of a much bigger line that extended up north of kaipara.

I see M/S now have a weak tornado watch out after what has happened in New Plymouth

spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:34

photo= Storm moving across west Ak.

Had several lightning strikes close to here.

NZstorm · Unread post by **NZstorm** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:40

Photo here of approaching storm looking west from Mt Eden.

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:41

Report of house struck by lightning in Epsom... nice storm with almost continuous rumbling thunder from right across the sky

good wind gusts here too..

ricky · Unread post by **ricky** » Wed 04/07/2007 15:48

Now reports of a small tornado in Botany Downs..

NZ Weather Forum

Thunderstorms and damage reports, N.I. Wed 4th July

Thunderstorms and damage reports, N.I. Wed 4th July

Tornado rips through central New Plymouth

Re: Tornado rips through central New Plymouth

I love the quote!