Tornado rips through homes in Greymouth overnight, houses, school damaged

A tornado overnight in the Greymouth area of Cobden has damaged houses and “ripped up” the roof of a school.

Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson said the tornado had come as a surprise to the residents after calm weather.

“It is terrible to hear. I didn’t experience it but I understand four properties have been affected and a portion of Cobden school’s roof has been ripped up.

“We are meeting with Civil Defence this afternoon to discuss further.”

Gibson said she spoke to the fire chief and there was more damage to other properties.

”The tornado has shot right through the track. One house lost its shed completely, and there’s a trampoline in the middle of the road. I am heading there now.”

The tornado tore through a number of houses in Greymouth overnight with reports of windows being blown out and roofs damaged.

Fire and Emergency NZ crews were called to the suburb of Cobden shortly before 1am after reports that two houses had been damaged by a tornado.

A Southern fire communications spokesman said they were told two houses had been affected, but that they were later told by Police that up to four homes had been damaged.

The spokesman described windows being blown out and firefighters being requested to help with putting on roof tarps.

Fire crews are expected back at the properties this morning, he said, and there were no reports of injuries.

A police spokesperson said about 12.50am, a resident on Fox St, Cobden, called to report that windows had been blown in by what appeared to be a tornado.

“While they were on the phone with police, the person reported their neighbour’s roof had come off. A patrol also found a roof at the school had been partially lifted, though there are no reports of injuries.”