By James Murray and Angela Beswick
A large tornado has struck the North Shore this afternoon, picking up cars and leaving one person dead.
Emergency services are saying the tornado followed a straight line south from Albany and then died out near Pt Chevalier, west of Auckland Central.
The roof of Albany Mega Centre has collapsed and people have been evacuated from the building. A witness described to 3 News having seen the body of a man in his thirties – believed to be dead – in the carpark of the shopping mall, outside Place Makers.
Civil Defence originally said there were two fatalities and 14 injured. This was later revised to one person dead.
People may be required to evacuate residential homes but this has not yet been requested by emergency services, according to Auckland Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley.
Auckland Council’s Building Control Department has activated its emergency response plans and has deployed building inspectors to assess the damage.
North Shore Hospital has had 20 admissions since the tornado, and two of those have been transferred to Auckland Hospital with more serious injuries.
The hospital were able to confirm one person as being dead.
Several fire units are in attendance at the Mega Centre.
“It was just so shocking to see what happened,” says Reuben Moore, who works at Rebel Sport in Albany and witnessed the tornado.
“We had torrential rain here all day and suddenly I hear what sounded like a jet engine, so I ran out to the front of the store and see a tornado at the end of the carpark.”
Mr Moore says he ran back inside to tell everyone they needed to evacuate.
“There were cars tossed around like matchsticks. Stuff from roofs was all over the place, air conditioners from buildings were landing on cars in the carpark.”
The tornado disappeared as quickly as it came, lasting about 15-20 seconds, Mr Moore says.
“There is sheer panic everywhere, it’s just so shocking because it happened during a pretty busy time of day.”
Police have confirmed multiple injuries from the tornado.
According to Civil Defence the North-Western motorway was closed but has now been reopened and for a time traffic was brought to a standstill.
Traffic in the area is still being adversely affected with the Albany Expressway closed (SH17). Bus services are taking detours but passengers should expect delays according to Auckland Transport.
Trains were also experiencing delays due to a 40km/h speed restriction between Newmarket and Avondale.
Civil Defence Controller Manley says the effects of the tornado are currently being assessed and more information will be released as it comes to hand.
“The full extent of the affected area includes Albany, Kaipatiki, Birkenhead and Glenfield although reports of significant damage and injury are limited to the Albany Mega Centre.
“It is important for people to stay calm and check on their neighbours,” he says.
Paula Marie Stevens commented on the 3 News Facebook page that the tornado went right past her office.
“It went straight past my work all we could see is stuff flying in the air now there is cops every where, [as well as] ambulances and a helicopter!!!”
Shaz Knight posted that pieces of roofing were falling out of the sky.
“Just watched it go past, had a big piece of corrugated iron fall out of the sky on to the road - it was crazy watching all the plants and debris swirling way up in sky,” he posted.
People have been tweeting about the tornado and the damage it has caused.
"Albany mall has been evacuated. Im shaking so bad. Roof collapsed. I thought i was gonna die," said Lucy Zhao.
This is not the first time a tornado has hit Albany. In 1991 a tornado claimed the life of one person.
3 News