Damage to the fence at the Greenfield's property in Papatoetoe. Photo / Supplied
The spa pool lid flipped and there is glass on the deck and spa, and the one daughter's car is a write-off.
"This morning it still looks like a war zone," Annelise said.
Following a night without power, Annelise had the immediate job today of taking her two teenage daughters to ballet in Papakura before being booked in for surgery tomorrow.
The Greenfields also have the matter of repairing damage to their home of 15 years before they move to a new home at Shelly Park in east Auckland and the new owner moves in.
The sale of the house went unconditional two weeks ago.
Annelise said she had let the new owner know about the damage from the tornado. The new owner's insurance will pay for the repairs.
"She came round and looked at it and was so grateful we are still living in the property and taking the steps we have to keep it safe and secure," said Annelise, whose husband is a builder.
"On top of surgery, sorting out a tornado, we have to move. It seems like everything all at once," she said.
Annelise Greenfield,left, with her children Zara, aged 17, Amelia, 10, Caleb 15. Photo / Supplied
The Greenfields were also relieved when the family cat, Stella, showed up last night after disappearing for 12 hours after the tornado.
"We were quite concerned the cat might have been trapped under some debris. It was a relief for her to come home last night," she said.
The family spent last night securing tarpaulins over their damaged roof and got a generator running. Civil Defence staff knocked on their door to see if the family was okay and members of the local Seventh Day Adventist church turned up with a dinner of chicken noodle soup, salad and chocolate chip banana muffins.
"I was in such shock I couldn't think about eating," said Annelise, who earlier in the day had scrambled her family, including a 10-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, to safety.
"It sounded like a plane was landing on our house. We sat in the hallway hugging each other, and started praying."
Meanwhile, Auckland Emergency Management, together with emergency response agencies and teams from Auckland Council, are today continuing to support people affected by yesterday's tornado in Papatoetoe and focus on clean-up efforts.
Clean-up efforts in the Papatoetoe area continue with council contractors cleaning up trees and debris, and arranging further waste collection.
A team of Auckland Council building inspectors will shortly begin inspecting affected properties to understand the extent of the damage and ensure unsafe buildings are checked and secure.
Auckland Council building consents general manager Ian McCormick said the team's priority is safety.
"Our inspectors will be assessing buildings to give owners and residents an understanding of whether their buildings are safe to remain in and giving advice on next steps."
The violent tornado uprooted trees, severely damaged homes and brought power lines down. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Parul Sood said response needs were light overnight but teams will continue to provide welfare support.
"Today's focus is on continuing to assess damage in the area, coordinating a building inspection programme and dealing with waste and debris," she said.
The Civil Defence Welfare Centre at Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre (Bairds Rd entrance) has been open since 2pm on Saturday and remains available for people affected by the tornado who need help or assistance. So far, the centre has provided two families with temporary accommodation.
A further information hub is being set up at the Allan Brewster Leisure Centre, 7 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe. Visitors to the hub will be able to speak to representatives from Auckland Emergency Management, Red Cross, the Ministry of Social Development and the Insurance Council for financial assistance advice and insurance information.
