A Havelock North couple were taken to hospital with minor injuries after their car was hit by one of dozens of trees which fell at the height of the storm in Hawke's Bay last night.
Jim and Margaret Ryniker were in one of two vehicles hit by a falling tree in Lucknow St about 8.30pm, by which time Cyclone Cook had done most of its unexpected damage in a tempest lasting barely three hours, and badly damaged at least three other parked vehicles across the two cities.
Two were in McDonald St, Napier, both sections from Latham St to Kennedy Rd and Kennedy Rd to Carnell St were expected to be closed for much of today as crews from Superior Exterior Tree Care worked to remove at least fallen trees which were partially Another area hit wholly blocking the road.
At least 40 streetside trees were felled in Napier, with the most complete destruction appearing to have been on the western side of Bledisloe Ave, Maraenui, where 13 trees were brought down on sections opposite the suburb's shopping centre, near completing the selection-clearing which started when Housing New Zealand began removing housing units in the area four years ago.
At least eight trees were felled in the Georges Drive Reserve and there were numerous other incidents, including the felling of a large oak tree in the grounds of Havelock North Primary School, while the Pakowhai Rd northern approach to Hastings was closed this morning while workmen cleared a tree which had fallen about 200 metres south of the intersection with Farndon Rd.