Multiple witnesses have filmed a tornado in central Otago, with reports it has torn the roof off a house.
One set of videos taken in Springvale, around 5km north of Alexandra, showed a long finger-like funnel sucking up into the sky.
Another video in Alexandra captured some of the damage in the aftermath.
"That house has just lost its roof," an onlooker said. "Bloody hell… If it comes here we're going to have to hide somewhere."
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson confirmed they responded to reports of structural damage from a tornado in Springvale at 6:27pm.
"Four fire trucks were dispatched, two remain at the location," they said.
It comes after MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Southland and Fiordland until 9pm.
"This is an alert to the potential development of severe thunderstorms in Southland and southern Fiordland this afternoon and evening," it said on its page.
"Thunderstorms that develop in these areas may become severe, generating localised downpours (25 to 40mm/h). Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."
