Tornado injures two people
A tornado that hit Christchurch has left two people injured, ripped roofs off buildings and scattered debris – some contaminated with asbestos – through the air.
The storm briefly cut power to more than 1000 homes and left part of a tree upside down in power lines. It hit about the same time as hail rained down on the city yesterday afternoon.
Two people were injured at the SaveMart secondhand shop on Battersea St in Sydenham when the tornado hit the roof. Emergency services were called there about 1.55pm.
The tornado ripped off parts of a DJ Auto roof, spewing asbestoscontaminated debris into the air and over Wordsworth St in Sydenham.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) assistant area commander Mike Bowden warned people not to touch any debris or take it home as a memento.
Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey said the public health risk from asbestos in this case was minimal.
The FENZ southern communications centre received about 25 weather-related callouts between 2pm and 3pm as the storm made its way across Christchurch, spokesman Andrew Norris said.
He said crews attended callouts for air conditioners, trees, power lines and roofs being lifted by winds throughout the city.
The SaveMart and DJ Auto incidents were among the more serious incidents, he said.
Insurance Council New Zealand chief executive Tim Grafton said it was too early to say how many insurance claims were made in the wake of yesterday’s storm.