Tornado event and severe weather in Auckland
5.50 pm, 6 December 2012
Tornado event and
severe weather at Whenuapai, Hobsonville and other parts of
Auckland
The latest information Auckland Council Civil Defence have on this afternoon’s tornado and torrential rain is:
Transport is difficult in many parts of Auckland and everyone should take care. If you’re about to head home, you should take some time to plan your journey, there could be delays.
There is surface flooding or debris on some roads, particularly in West Auckland. Motorists need to travel to the conditions and take care. If you can avoid using the roads, please do so. Long delays are reported in some areas.
Please report blocked drains and culverts to Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.
More bad weather is predicted from midnight, with showers (which may become heavy) and winds reaching 100km/h. The highest gust of wind recorded this afternoon was 151 km/h at Snapper Rock, Albany. Western suburbs including New Lynn, Avondale and around the foothills of the Waitakere’s experienced rainfall rates of around 21mm within 10 mins this afternoon
About 150 homes are uninhabitable or without power at the Whenuapai base, and a further 70 homes in the wider area have been evacuated.
250 affected residents have already been taken to Whenuapai Air Force Base where they will be looked after, and Auckland Council welfare staff are assisting and providing support.
Auckland Council Civil Defence and the NZ Defence Force have set up a welfare facility at the Whenuapai Air Base.
If people believe their property is uninhabitable to call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 if they need assistance.
Power
Vector
advises that Henderson, Greenhithe and Riverhead are still
without power.
Auckland Airport
Is open but an
earlier lightning strike meant some flights were
diverted.
Public Transport
Trains are operating
as normal. Ferry services are continuing but the 5.30pm
service to West Harbour is to be replaced by a bus.
Bus
services are disrupted to Herald Island route 093 and
Hobsonville Point routes 092 and 093. Route 130 is
suspended. Some other bus services may be
delayed.
Weather
Showers will return to Auckland from
midnight tonight. We can expect:
Between midnight
tonight and midnight tomorrow wind gusts with showers of up
to 100km/h
Rainfall totals are not likely to exceed
20mm from these showers, however rainfall could be
intense.
There is a low chance of thunder activity
but not to the level experienced today.
Prevailing
winds are expected to strengthen tomorrow afternoon; all
winds will be from the North West.
Ends