A short, sharp storm overnight has damaged many properties in Auckland, including The Cloud on Queen's Wharf.
Part of the venue's roofing fabric was damaged by strong winds, with emergency services called to the Cloud around 11pm after two panels were ripped from the roof and blew into the Waitemata Harbour. The building was evacuated and there were no injuries. Ferry services were operating as normal on Monday morning.
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Roofs were also ripped off houses in east Auckland, as the city faced strong wind gusts. There were also more than 50 lightning strikes across the city, and 1700 throughout the country.
Fire and emergency services were called out 20 times overnight in response to damaged roofs.
"There were reports of possible tornadoes," says MetService meteorologist Kyle Lee.
"Looking at the damage it looks there quite a few areas were affected. It's very possible that it could have happened for a brief time."
State Highway 1 south of Tirau was also closed last night after a tree and power pole fell, blocking the road. Motorists were also warned to avoid the area around Waitaki Bridge in south Canterbury last night due to deep flooding.
And while Monday morning is calmer in most places, the wild weather isn't over yet.
"There was actually in a bit of a lull overnight," says Lee. "Most of the country has actually eased in terms of weather. But we are in store for quite a bit more wet weather for today as we get the next system coming in. We do again have large areas at risk for thunderstorms with heavy rain, strong winds and hail as well."
MetService warned of a heavy rain watch for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumaranui, Taupo and Taranaki, with periods of heavy rain expected to return Monday afternoon through Monday evening. Thunderstorms were also expected in those areas.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms were also predicted for the ranges Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane from Monday afternoon to early Tuesday morning.
A heavy rain watch for Nelson west of Motueka and Buller has now been lifted.
Newshub.
