Tornado Tears Through Taranaki, Leaving Homes Damaged
A destructive tornado struck the Waitara neighborhood overnight, causing significant damage and leaving residents shaken. The powerful storm brought intense winds and heavy rainfall, impacting numerous homes and causing widespread concern within the community.
Dramatic Accounts of the Storm’s Fury
At midnight, the tornado ripped through the home of Sebastian and Jessica Murrihy and their three children. According to Jessica, the sounds were terrifying. Their neighbor, Shirleen Patterson, had her granddaughter in bed with her when she heard the tin “peeling and cracking.”
“It was a huge noise,”
—Jessica, Homeowner
Susan Duncan initially dismissed the noise, but her dog’s persistent barking prompted her to investigate. She found trees down and her daughter’s car damaged. Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency; globally, the number of disasters has increased fivefold over the past 50 years (UN Report).
Further Damage and Community Response
Carey Clow discovered debris from his and neighbors’ houses scattered across a paddock. FENZ reported no injuries and responded with two crews from Waitara, including a support vehicle from New Plymouth.
