UPDATED 8.59PM: Fences are down, power is out and debris is scattered all over Maunganui Road after a tornado ripped through the area.
The tornado tore through the Links Ave area just before 8.30pm.
The remains of a trampoline wrapped around a lamp post. Photo: Cameron Avery.
A reporter at the scene says there is quite a lot of destruction.
"It wasn't just a small tornado. A trampoline is wrapped around a lamp post and roofing iron is on other houses.
"There is also a lot of debris, including roofing iron and trees, on Maunganui Road. It's quite severe."
Alesha Manaton says on Facebook: "am down Owens Place, was definitely a tornado that went through our flat, deafening sound, doors slammed shut and whole flat was shaking like crazy".
Power is out in the Mount Maunganui area with the outage affecting traffic and railway lights.
Motorists are being asked to drive with care as contractors and emergency services work to clear debris from the road.
A severe weather warning is in place for heavy rain and strong winds. This is expected to ease tomorrow morning.
Earlier:
There are reports of roofs being torn off homes and power outages following what is believed to have been a tornado in Mount Maunganui.
There are no reports of injuries but firefighters have been called to homes in Links Ave that are missing parts of their roof.
The power outage is also reported to be affecting railway lights in the area.
Motorists are being warned to drive with caution in the area as there is debris all over Maunganui Road, near Links Ave.
A severe weather warning is in place for Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty with predictions of high winds, thunderstorms and heavy rain.
The MetService says a trough embedded in a strong moist north-west flow is expected to move slowly east over the North Island during Thursday and Friday morning.
The heaviest falls are expected about the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, where 100 to 150mm could accumulate.
This rain could cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, surface flooding, slips and make driving conditions hazardous.
A period of heavy rain is expected tonight, easing early on Friday morning.
In the 11 hours from 10pm tonight until 9am Friday expect 60 to 90mm to accumulate, but 100 to 120mm about the Raukumara Range.
2 comments
The storm
Posted on 15-05-2015 12:26 | By Ross01
Have just watched mayor crosby interview on TV1,His main emphasis was not on the destruction of residential and commercial properties but on ASB Stadium where "the rugby season is about to start" When will this guy ever get his priorities right?
Wisechief
Posted on 17-05-2015 09:37 | By Wise Chief
Great thing about this Tornado in Mount is it will be back next year bigger & meaner. We know from past smaller examples plus fast accelerating Climate Change which few in this town let alone those in control with the money to invest towards mitigation of emissions will only become bigger more powerful and highly destructive each time one hits again in future. With El Nino revving up we need to strengthen our homes, maybe even dig a basement or bunker to protect oneself & family when this shite hits fan. Make sure it can't flood as rainstorms are now pouring many months of rain in only a few hours and councils current storm-water systems are no match. Have small inflatable handy. When seeking to do such stuff, don't be a fool to wait for council and permits. WHY? They don't care & storms are coming NOW not later.
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