Tornado aftermath: What you need to know

Name: Auckland tornado damage
Uploaded: 2012-12-06T15:24:10+13:00
Duration: 137 s
Description: Raw video of the damage, as a tornado reportedly hit Hobsonville, tearing down trees and ripping panels from the motorway. Three people have been killed after severe weather - including a series of tornadoes - hit Auckland.

Herald online

6 Dec, 2012 02:14 AM2 mins to read

Raw video of the damage, as a tornado reportedly hit Hobsonville, tearing down trees and ripping panels from the motorway. Three people have been killed after severe weather - including a series of tornadoes - hit Auckland.

With the city facing more storms, here is a list of things Aucklanders need to know to keep safe and get around including civil defence advice, road closures and public transport notices.

Civil Defence

With more storms expected, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is advising people to

- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside
- Move cars under cover or away from trees
- Secure any loose objects around your property
- Check that drains and gutters are clear
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving

During and after storms, you should also:

- Beware of fallen trees and power lines
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding

Road closures

Expect delays on the Southern Line due to flooding at Pukekohe Station.

Waimarie Rd in Whenuapai, Moselle Ave in Henderson and Wallingford Way in Hobsonville have been closed due to storm damage and tornadoes.

State Highway 18 between Tauhinu Rd and Westgate has been shut because of flooding.

Upper Harbour Motorway is closed from Greenhithe Rd to Brigham Creek Rd.

SH 18, Wallingford Way and Greenhithe Rd in Hobsonville, Waimarie Rd in Whenuapai and Moselle Ave in Henderson are all also closed.

The traffic lights are out at the intersection of Forest Hill Rd and Wairau Rd - expect delays.

Motorists should drive to the conditions by slowing down, use headlights and increase following distances, police say.

Public transport
Auckland Transport has said the 5.30pm Auckland to West Harbour ferry service will be operated by bus replacement.

All buses on route 130 are also currently suspended as are Herald Island route 093 and Hobsonville Point route 092.

The 020 bus service is currently being diverted due to flooding on Howe St and route 466 is being diverted due to flooding on David Ave.

Airport

Auckland Airport has warned that a number of flights between Auckland and regional destinations have been cancelled, particularly to Whangarei and New Plymouth. People are advised to contact their airline for information.

Power lines

Vector Energy is asking people to treat any fallen power lines as live and to report them on 111.