Johnson told her daughter she was surrounded by people “within minutes” after she was sucked from the house and thrown on to a small shed roof.
She suffered a fractured arm, broken ligaments and tendons in her right knee and hand, and multiple lacerations.
A friend stood on a ladder next to Johnson before those helping navigated toppled power poles and debris in the dark to carry Johnson to a waiting ambulance.
Neighbour James Taylor, whose business was also severely damaged, launched a Givealittle page to helped a “much-loved” Johnson recover.
Johnson-Price, speaking eight days after the tornado struck unexpectedly, called her 52-year-old mother the epitome of strength.
“I know that she’s really grateful that she’s alive, and that’s what she’s focused on.”
Johnson is expected to be in hospital for several more weeks.
Her daughter said she had been able to keep her spirits up most of the time.
“ ... After everything she’s been through, I’m surprised, but I’m grateful.”
Johnson-Price said the family had received thousands of “lovely” messages from the community.
“All of our phones are going 24/7.”
Some messages included people offering a place for Johnson to stay after she’s discharged from hospital.
But what comes next has been the least of their worries, Johnson-Price said.
Johnson’s father has taken up managing the stricken home.
Before the tornado, Johnson had been enjoying getting her home ready for the market, but now it will be demolished.
However, the family has been able to rescue some of the personal memorabilia from the house strewn throughout the debris in the event’s aftermath.
Friends and family combing the streets found jewellery belonging to Johnson’s late mother, photographs of her as a baby and family paintings.
Johnson-Price said after sifting through the rubble with a stick, she managed to find her own baby bracelet.
A storage unit has been organised for recovered items.
Johnson usually works as an accountant and has been involved in community fundraising events for Surf Life Saving and other local trusts.
Johnson-Price said her mother had expressed an interest in returning to those ventures once she has recovered.
“I know that she is very thankful for all the help she’s receiving now and she would love to – once she is better and everything in her life is back on track – get into helping the community.”
In the meantime, her mother was taking each day as it came.
“At this stage, it’s just focusing on the here and now.”
Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.
