Further New Zealand support for cyclone-battered Samoa and Fiji has been announced, bringing the combined total to $820,000 so far.

Samoans in New Zealand are still anxiously waiting to hear how their loved ones fared after Cyclone Evan hit.

Two ships were grounded and houses thrown through the air as winds of up to 270km/h uprooted trees and homes force hit Fiji during Tropical Cyclone Evan.

Fiji residents are bracing themselves as Cyclone Evan makes its presence felt. Thousands of people have taken shelter in the region as Tropical Cyclone Evan batters the area with winds of up to 185km/h. Up to 400 New Zealanders also hunkered down in evacuation centres, with Cyclone Evan increasing from category 3 to 4 as it made its way towards Fiji.

The category three tropical cyclone currently lashing Samoa could develop into a category five monster by the time it reaches Fiji.

Tropical Cyclone Evan is making its presence felt as it sweeps through the Pacific Islands, hitting Samoa and Fiji with winds of up to 185km/h, leaving a trail of debris behind it.

Leading Aircraftman Rochelle Wech had just set up home in Wallingford Way with her boyfriend after a six-month deployment in East Timor when the tornado hit.

The police cordon has been lifting allowing residents back into the worst-damaged neighbourhoods in Hobsonville after yesterday's deadly storms.

Some West Aucklanders affected by yesterday's tornado feel they were not prepared enough to deal with the emergency. Three people were killed and seven were injured when the storm - including tornadoes - hit Auckland yesterday afternoon. About 250 people were left homeless and thousands of homes were without power after the storm, which is estimated to have caused $11 million worth of damage.

Some West Aucklanders affected by yesterday's tornado feel they were not prepared enough to deal with the emergency.

The recovery is underway after a series of deadly tornadoes ripped through Hobsonville, leaving a trail of destruction. Three people died in the storm, which also damaged about 150 houses, nzherald.co.nz went amongst the clean up to hear the stories of survival.

The recovery is underway after a series of deadly tornadoes ripped through Hobsonville, leaving a trail of destruction. Check here for the latest info.

A violent tornado which hit Hamurana near Rotorua threw people and animals in the air, uplifted trees and damaged properties.

We are on the ground in west Auckland talking to residents affected by the destruction.

A pet rescue operation was under way last night to find animals left behind when people fled the tornado.

They had no warning it was coming. But when they saw the tornado, the workmen ran for their lives.

Fierce weather has seen three people killed and hundreds evacuated today, with tornadoes in Auckland and Rotorua.

The latest news on the damage and injuries following a tornado in west Auckland this afternoon.

Science Media Centre's Peter Griffin examines whether tornadoes are increasingly frequent in New Zealand and a manifestation of the changing climate.

Three people have been killed after severe weather - including a series of tornadoes - hit Auckland this afternoon.

Reader Simon O'Hanlon sent in this footage of the aftermath of the tornado on Hobsonsville Road in Auckland.