Media Release

For immediate release
03 May 2011
10:30pm
03

Auckland Civil Defence - Albany tornado update #3

A tornado hit Albany Mega Centre and Roseberry Avenue, Birkenhead on Auckland’s North Shore this afternoon, causing one death, 14 injuries and significant damage to commercial buildings and residential housing.

Twenty seven properties have been damaged in total, twenty of them in Roseberry Avenue, Birkenhead. Eight of those homes have self-evacuated. One home is uninhabitable. Affected residents are staying with friends and relatives.

Vector said earlier this evening that 1,072 properties had lost power and arborists were clearing fallen and damaged trees. All power has now been restored.

Auckland Council’s Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley says that due to the damage sustained at the mall, Pak’n Save and Farmers, they are unlikely to re-open in the morning.

“Auckland Council’s building control manager and structural engineer are meeting the mall and building owners first thing in the morning.

“Heavy machinery will be required to make the shops safe, so I recommend people stay away until we have made sure the buildings are completely safe to re-enter.”

Auckland Civil Defence has closed the emergency welfare centre at the North Shore Events Centre, as people affected have relocated to friends and families.

People needing assistance can still call 0800 463 010.

Nine people presented at North Shore Hospital – one with moderate injuries, the rest minor. One presented at Auckland City Hospital with moderate injuries. The other four were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The Fire Service responded to 65 events. The Fire Service has worked to secure loose roof debris and assisted with tarpaulins on residential properties.

Weather warnings for Auckland have been lifted by the MetService and they have advised that the weather system has moved south.

As at 7.30pm Auckland Transport advises the following transport impacts as a result of the tornado which struck Auckland this afternoon

Roads presently impacted by tornado:
Roseberry Rd, Birkenhead is closed due to damage to houses.

The internal roads surrounding the Albany Mega Centre remain closed.

Bus services presently impacted:

Access to Albany Station has been closed from Oteha Valley Rd. This means the only service servicing Albany Station is the Northern Express.

NZ Bus Hibiscus Coast Services and Ritchies R555, 560, 887 and 880 will drop/pick up passengers on Oteha Vally Rd as close to the station as possible.

Albany Expressway (SH17) is closed.

Bus services affected:
Hibiscus Coast services (R89*) are travelling in and outbound via Oteha Valley Rd.

Ritchies services that normally service the university R555, 560 and 880 are bypassing the expressway.

Kaipatiki Rd is expected to be closed until approximately 10pm.

Bus services affected:
R913 Northstar, R953 Birkenhead Transport

Expect delays to all the above services across peak hour. All will resume
normal routes as soon as the road reopens.

There are no delays to Northern Express Bus services

ENDS

For more information:

• Listen to your radio for civil defence information or any information.
• Check the Yellow Pages for more information.

Or visit:
• www.metservice.co.nz
• www.getthru.govt.nz

© Scoop Media