Wind lifts 50m section off school roof

Timaru Boys' High School was partially closed today after severe gales ripped a huge section of roof off a nine-classroom block and sent it crashing into nearby houses.

The school's deputy rector Nick Simpson said the roof of the two-storey Bull Block was lifted at about 5.30am and sent 30 to 40 metres into houses, including the rector's house.

"It has not so much peeled off, but been picked up and gone like a big wing across the fence," Mr Simpson said.

He said year nine and 10 pupils were sent home this morning and school management were assessing damage and deciding how to resume normal school activities.

Mr Simpson said the tile roof on the school's historically-listed library was also damaged.

Two cars in the driveway of the rector's house were "severely damaged", as was part of a neighbour's property.

Emergency services closed North St nearby while debris was cleared from it.

MetService had warned of severe west to northwest gales in exposed inland parts of Southland, Otago and Canterbury and said roofs and powerlines could be under threat.

The winds were forecast to ease a little this morning but would probably return from Thursday night to early Friday afternoon.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF