"It was the whole, real deal," he said. "I know what it's like. It was real scary. The wind sounded like a train coming - it was quite an experience."
Mr Young said while his house was spared, others were not so fortunate. And while tornadoes were not regular events where they lived they knew to be ready "just in case" and had an emergency kit prepared.
"You got to be prepared. You got to be ready - you just have to," he said as he watched the Napier Civil Defence team run through yesterday's siren test.
All 16 emergency sirens, scattered from as far afield as Awatoto, Taradale and Westshore, sounded for five minutes without a hitch.
What pleased Civil Defence manager Angela Reade most was the apparent preparedness of the community.
"Between the centre, police and the Fire Service we had just four calls from people asking what was going on. I was worried the message had not got out there but it appears it has - that is a fantastic result."
Hastings District Council emergency management officer Warren Meldrum said his crew received no calls about the sirens activated by seven mobile units which covered areas like Waimarama, Whirinaki, Clive and Haumoana.
"I'm rapt - the word got out there."
He said initial feedback from all areas was positive but was eager to receive feedback from flyers which had been distributed before the tests.
"We want to know how it went, did everyone hear the sirens and from there we can further refine things."
Napier residents are also urged to provide feedback.
Mrs Reade said as some people may not have heard them, a survey form, online and available from libraries, about the alarm's effectiveness has been set up for people to fill out. It is available until next Tuesday, with Civil Defence offering prizes for some participants.
