By 1News Reporters
11:12am

Strong winds are battering parts of New Zealand, with heavy swells set for parts of the lower North Island and damage reported from a tornado which
swept through Levin this morning.


A heavy swell warning is in place along the Kapiti/ Porirua coast from Otaki
to Pipinui Point until 6pm today.


Council provides update after tornado hits Levin

In an update at 12pm, Horowhenua District Council confirmed Levin was hit by
a tornado at approximately 7.45am taking down trees, impacting utilities
lines and lifting roofs and fences.


Horowhenua District Council Mayor Mayor Bernie Wanden said Levin had suffered "significant damage in various parts" of Levin township.

He said some people in the community were feeling "pretty anxious" following the tornado, but was glad most of the damage was superficial and nobody was injured.


Wanden said it was "quite a surprise but not unexpected" to be informed of a tornado in the area, after a tornado previously hit in May 2022.


"Unfortunately our community has had to deal with a similar event a few years ago," he said.


Wanden said the focus would now shift to focus on cleaning up the debris.


"There will be welfare checks out and about this afternoon, knocking on doors and ensuring people are safe. But what I've seen from driving around this afternoon is people getting on with it. Neighbours helping people from the other side of town, chipping in, and most of the cleanup I'm sure will be
done quite quickly."

Chief executive at Horowhenua District Council Monique Davidson gave an overview of damage and said it was "incredible to see how much work has
already occurred in the cleanup phase".


She said damage had been reported at:


SH1 Levin by Adventure Park
Wilton St
Carlisle St
Bartholomew Rd
Playford Park
Meadowvale Dr
Waikawa Beach
Parker Ave
Mersey St
Fryberg St
SH1 South of Foxton
Tiro Tiro Rd and Collingwood St intersection
Rodney St

She said contractors were working hard clearing debris, unblocking drains and supporting impacted households.


"Fortunately, it appears that this morning is not as significant as the
tornado event in May 2022, but we are aware that many of those properties impacted were those properties impacted in May 2022," Davidson said.


Fire and Emergency assistant commander Craig Gold said crews responded to 12 calls around Levin, and council were now leading the response.

"Skip bins are being distributed to assist affected residents in Collingwood
St and Wilton St," the council said.


Local Controller Brent Harvey said "fortunately it appears the event this morning is not as significant as the Levin tornado event of May 2022".


"We'll continue to work closely with affected residents as the recovery continues."


Are you impacted by the weather? If you are safe and able to, send any images or videos to news@tvnz.co.nz

Earlier, MetService meteorologist Katie Hillyer said a "very organised line
of rain and thunderstorms moved through Otaki and Levin at around 8am this morning".


"This band had an incredibly strong wind signal along it (hinting at very
large gusts).


"There is some evidence that there could have been a tornado along that line, but without seeing more photos from the track of damage on the ground we
cannot determine from radar alone if a tornado occurred," she said.


"What we can say for certain though, is that there have already been very strong and gusty winds around the region this morning, so that coupled with a very localised intense line of gusty thunderstorms, it is not surprising that there are damages. This line was very short lived and has since eased off, so any line like that from now is much less likely."

'Windy and wet' conditions in Wellington
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office regional manager Dan Neely told 1News this morning he had "not observed any significant impacts from the
swell warning or recent thunderstorms over the past few hours".


"Conditions remain windy and wet, so we're advising drivers to be especially cautious as there may be some surface flooding and debris on the roads," he said.


"With the swell warning still in place until 6pm tonight, we also advise
people to take care when walking or driving near roads and beaches exposed to the sea, particularly around high tide during the early morning commute."


Neely urged surfers, divers, recreational reef fishers, and surfcasters to avoid exposed coastal areas until the warning has lifted and to check the forecast before heading out on a boat.


A Hutt City Council spokesperson said there was surface flooding earlier this morning on The Esplanade and Jackson St, which has since subsided.


"Surface flooding remains on Seaview's Barnes St and Port Rd. Work is
underway to clear the stormwater drains in that area. We urge motorists to be vigilant and drive to the conditions."


An orange strong wind warning was also in effect for Banks Peninsula for
seven hours from 11am, with severe gale southwesterlies gusting 120km/h in exposed places expected.

Wairarapa including the Tararua District, Hawke's Bay about and south of Hastings, Tasman northwest of Motueka, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds, Coastal areas of Dunedin and North Otago, Canterbury Plains, Christchurch and the Chatham Islands were all under a strong wind watch.


"Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may
be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles," MetService said.


"A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria within
20km of the coast. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning."


Road reopens following earlier closure
Heavy weather brought down a number of trees in Levin this morning, earlier closing part of State Highway 1.

In a statement to 1News, a police spokesperson said a tree fell on a vehicle
on Oxford St shortly before 8am, but that nobody was injured or trapped.


An earlier diversion on Oxford St has been lifted and the road is open to through traffic.

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