'Dust devil' rips through Pāpāmoa

A 'dust-devil' tore through Pāpāmoa yesterday. Photo / Gettys Stock Image

A "dust devil" that tore through parts of Pāpāmoa yesterday evening was strong enough to lift umbrellas, trampolines and toys in one resident's backyard.

Vanessa Martelletti was bringing in clothes drying on the washing line about 5pm when she saw what she described as a mini tornado start to lift and move things around her lawn.

"I heard this really loud noise coming from over the fence," she said.

"Everything in our backyard started flying around and was being pushed across the front lawn."

The Tomika Cres resident said she saw the umbrella being lifted out of its place on the outdoor dining furniture and the trampoline lifted from the ground.

"It blew all of our washing off the pegs and over the fence," she said. "All of the doors slammed."

It lasted about 20 seconds before Martelletti saw it move down her street towards the main road.

"It was almost like a flash effect," she said. "You could see the wind tunnel. It had dust, grass, leaves and debris and you could see the centre of it."

Martelletti was frightened for her two young daughters who were inside.

"We didn't know how much stronger it was going to get."

Other residents reported seeing something similar on social media, however, MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said the weather event was not likely to be a tornado.

"It was clear skies and no thunderstorms in the Bay of Plenty yesterday. So it would not have been a tornado," he said.

"It is very possible it was a dust devil. They happen all the time in warm conditions. They are not dangerous."