Twister ripped roof off home in the 'blink of an eye'

A Coromandel man holidaying in National Park has described watching a twister rip off a roof and tear trees out of the ground "in the blink of an eye".

The twister struck National Park, near Mt Ruapehu, about 9.15am and knocked down trees and scattered debris in its path.

Civil Defence says Carroll St in National Park Village is closed and that anyone wanting to go to the welfare centre at the National Park School hall should use Miller St.

Whenuakite resident Damien Kenyon was sitting outside a home in National Park when the tornado ripped through the area.

Witness Damien Kenyon said the twister left a mess of corrugated iron and trees in its path. Photo / Damien Kenyon

He was on holiday and had rented a house in the area just for the one night.

"It was about 9.10am when it literally just came ripping through the area," Kenyon said.

"It was quite a big tornado."

"I was just out on the veranda having a cigarette. It was just a few metres away from where I was sitting that all the debris landed," he said.

"It ripped up a trampoline and the roof of a house, which flew through the air and smashed into one of the buildings of the property we were staying in.

Kenyon said it also ripped up several pine trees from their roots and sent them flying with such force they would have impaled anyone who was in their path.

The twister brought down power lines, cutting power to the village. Photo / Damien Kenyon

The force of the twister was intense, he said, but short-lived.

"In a minute or two it was all over."

Kenyon said he had planned on visiting friends in Whanganui after his stay in National Park but was now thinking about delaying travels, for safety's sake.

"I don't really want to be driving anywhere in this," he said.

Civil Defence is continuing to assess damage and assist people as required.

Ruapehu District Council communications manager Paul Wheatcroft said one house had been destroyed and a number of others had suffered structural damage.

A welfare centre has been set up at National Park School for anyone needing assistance.
Power is out with significant damage to lines.

The twister tore off a local's roof, which then landed on nearby cars. Photo / Damien Kenyon

Water systems are working but have not been assessed.

Fire and Emergency central communications shift manager David Meikle says the 111 line has been incredibly busy this morning with weather-related calls.

Image 1 of 14: Photo Wanganui Chronicle Bevan Conley.