Thunderbolts and lightning: Storm shreds The Cloud, rips off roofs

Auckland’s distinctive multi-purpose event venue, The Cloud, was ripped to shreds last night as a fierce storm tore through the region.

A third of the venue’s roofing fabric reportedly ended up in the sea.

Emergency services were called to Queen’s Wharf after a caller said the severe weather had a left “a large hole” in The Cloud about 10.40pm.

The structure was built to host celebrations at the Rugby World Cup in 2011. It was intended to be a temporary structure but has since been used for events.

Police said the harbourmaster was checking it was safe for boats to move through the area and the Auckland Council was informed.

Roofs were also ripped from several homes and a preschool in Bermuda Rd, St Heliers, as the storm brought torrential rain, strong winds gusts and dozens of lightning strikes.

A witness said three or four homes had also lost their roofs and fences had smashed through windows.

Fire and Emergency NZ responded to multiple emergency callouts.

It was unclear last night whether anyone was injured.

About 1700 lightning strikes were recorded nationwide by 8.55pm, with 50 strikes hitting Auckland in the hour between 8pm and 9pm.

Lifelong Manurewa resident Brendan Lambert said his living room lit up with flashes of lightning when the storm hit, followed closely by cracks of thunder and a deluge.

“It was the most extreme five-to10 minute storm I’ve experienced in Manurewa,” he said.

MetService’s severe thunderstorm warning was lifted about 9pm as the cell continued to head north.

Much of the squally weather could be put down to a strong and persistent jet stream, which had provided the necessary upward motion to deepen a low-pressure system while fuelling thunderstorm activity over northern and central regions.

Few places managed to escape the wild weather at the weekend, as a complex low-pressure system moved slowly from the Tasman Sea.

While the heavy rain and snow hitting parts of Canterbury and Otago has eased, an unstable northwesterly flow remains over the North Island and upper South Island.

The weather system was expected to strengthen and spread across the country tomorrow.