A wild tornado has brought chaos to Mangawhai! Trees, power outages, and rescue missions are just the beginning of this windy saga. Discover what went down!
A fierce tornado ripped through the coastal community of Mangawhai in Northland, New Zealand, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Overnight, strong winds uprooted trees and lifted rooftops, leading to widespread power outages affecting over 5000 residents. According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the storm caused significant damage, with multiple callouts for assistance from emergency crews. Reports suggest that two individuals sustained serious injuries, prompting urgent medical attention amidst the chaos.
Residents described their eerie night as they braced against the roaring winds. Many reported blocked roads, toppled trees, and missing roofs as residents ventured outside only to confront the disarray left behind. “It was like something out of a movie,” stated local resident Peter, astonished at the sight of twisted signs and debris scattered throughout the once-charming village. Local authorities quickly mobilized fire brigades from various stations to assist with rescues and manage the havoc wreaked by the storm.
As the sun rose, the real scale of the destruction began to reveal itself. Firefighters, along with civil defense teams, embarked on a mission to provide safety and support to the affected, marking it as one of the fiercest events Mangawhai had seen in recent history. With streets resembling war zones and the sound of chainsaws reverberating through the air as crews worked tirelessly, the community came together to cope with the aftermath of the tornado’s wrath.
While some may have lost roofs over their heads, the locals of Mangawhai have proven to be resilient, resilient enough to share memories of their exciting tornado adventure—complete with laughs mixed in with tales of woe. It’s a tough break but just as the people of New Zealand know how to weather storms, they certainly know how to come together in the face of adversity.
Did you know that tornadoes are relatively rare in New Zealand compared to other countries, but Northland is no stranger to intense weather patterns? Historically, tornadoes tend to spring from severe thunderstorms, and the average number of tornado occurrences in New Zealand is about 20 a year, mostly minor in scale. So, while this particular event was indeed alarming for the residents of Mangawhai, they can take solace knowing that their community strength surpasses any storm fate could throw their way.
In addition to their resilient spirit, Mangawhai is known for its stunning beaches and peaceful lifestyle, making it a beloved spot for both locals and tourists alike. Let this field day in the storm serve as a reminder that New Zealand’s wild weather can add a rumble to the much-loved tranquility—but the heart of the community remains strong!
A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Photo: Marika Khabazi / RNZ. Trees are down and there are widespread power outages after a tornado in Northland's ...
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Northpower's outage map showed three "widespread" outages covering Mangawhai, Mangawhai Heads and Langs Beach. Radar imagery at 2:52am this morning shows a hook ...
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Around three this morning, a line of severe thunderstorms and winds tore through the town and surrounding areas. Fire and Emergency New Zealand says it ...
Kaipara District Council have stood up an Emergency Operations Centre are working closely with FENZ, Northpower, Police and other agencies. • There is currently ...
Photo: Peter de Graaf. Mangawhai residents have been left in shock after a tornado tore through the Northland community at about 3am this morning.
Around 50 homes and buildings were damaged and two people seriously injured when strong winds tore through the Northland town at around 3am this morning.
Christelle Hynd arrived at her parents' Mangawhai property to house-sit just hours before all hell broke loose outside.
Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson said at least four homes were destroyed, but he said the numbers displaced will be much higher.
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Mangawhai has been compared to a war zone, with houses destroyed, roofs torn off, debris scattered across roads and power poles ripped out.
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Mangawhai has been compared to a war zone, with houses destroyed, roofs torn off, debris scattered across roads and power poles ripped out.
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"It was horrific. My wife woke up screaming": Mangawhai has been compared to a war zone, with houses destroyed, roofs torn off, debris scattered across ...
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