Coastal Taranaki has been hit by wild weather with reports of a tornado near the Cape Egmont lighthouse on Wednesday morning.
MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Taranaki region with scattered thunderstorms forecast to produce “a few small short-lived tornadoes” between noon and 6pm.
The national weather authority confirmed the funnel cloud in the video was one of these tornadoes.
“If any tornadoes do occur, they are expected be short-lived and very localised, but may cause damage to structures and vegetation.
“MetService advises that, should severe weather approach or if you feel threatened, take shelter immediately.”
Margaret Bolstad, who lived near the beach at Pungarehu, told 1News the wild weather came through at 9.53am on Wednesday.
“It was very, very loud, I thought it was a loud crack of thunder, but then the house was shaking and the windows were moving in and out, I thought they were going to implode.”
She said there was a loud bang and then the electricity was cut off.
“I was absolutely freaked out after it happened but the nerves have settled now.”
Louise Thompson, who captured the footage and provided it to 1News, said the tornado began at sea and made its way onto the land.
“We’ve seen the odd water spout out at sea over the years, but never this size. Nor have I seen them come onto land — usually, they fizzle out before then.”
No reports were made to Fire and Emergency NZ of damage due to the weather.
Taranaki Civil Defence also said it had no reports of damage but advised people to take shelter if further tornadoes occurred.
SH2 closed by flooding in Bay of Plenty
Earlier, wet weather in the Bay of Plenty region brought down trees and caused surface flooding.
NZTA said State Highway 2 was closed at the Kaikokopu Stream Bridge east of Te Puke due to flooding.
“It is high tide at the moment, so water levels will take some time to recede.”
Around 170 properties were without power across the region this morning.
A heavy rain watch was lifted at 6am.
