Home off limits
Cindy Smith just wants to go back home and see her animals.
But, this won’t be possible for another 48 hours.
Cindy and her husband Mike’s home was damaged, after a tornado ripped through National Park Village yesterday morning.
The couple have been told by fire crews their Carroll Street home is off limits until Friday, on account of risk.
A big gale took the chimney off the house, Mike said.
There’s a risk the loose bricks might fall through the roof, he said.
‘‘It’s blown all the windows out and the house next door is all gone. We’ve been here 20 years and we’ve never seen anything like it.’’
Cindy is missing her home and her animals. The couple have two dogs, Tasha and Patrick.
‘‘Tasha is half alsatian and Patrick is a black labrador,’’ Cindy said.
‘‘They have beds and food, but they’re on their own.
‘‘I want to go home and see the dogs.’’
Cindy also has a miniature pony called Starlight and she cares for a lot of the neighbourhood cats.
‘‘The cats all seemed to have gone in the storm because of the noise, which actually might be a good thing.’’
It was about 9am when Cindy was startled by her van shaking.
‘‘It lifted up and I knew I had to get out quick.’’
She hopped up in a panic and went to run into the house where Mike was.
But, as she was running she was blown over by a strong gale.
Inside the house all six windows were smashed, Cindy said.
‘‘All of the glass – my glass lamp, drinking glasses and my pretty ornaments have all fallen off the drawer and smashed.
‘‘All I want is to go home, but I’m not allowed.
‘‘I don’t have any clothes or my wallet.’’
Cindy and Mike have found refuge at The Welfare Centre, which has been set up at the National Park school hall.
Yesterday afternoon, the Ruapehu Civil Defence crew were cooking sausages on the barbecue and blasting heaters to warm the hall.
‘‘We offer food, light and warmth,’’ a spokeswoman said.
‘‘Everyone is wet, cold and hungry and we’re here for them.’’