"Tornado in New Plymouth"
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Peter Lawn:
Emergency services are in the Belt Road area of New Plymouth after a tornado hit around 5:30pm this evening.
A number of properties have been reported damaged, however it is too early at this stage to confirm exactly how many.
There are no reports of injuries at this time.
Police urge people to check on their own properties and on their neighbours, and to treat all power lines as live.
If you have immediate concerns for your own safety or that of others, call 111.
Police and Fire and Emergency NZ have set up a command centre at the intersection of Belt Road and St Aubyn Street.
If you need assistance, or if you need somewhere to stay tonight, please make contact with us at the command centre.
Police and Fire will be door-knocking to check on the welfare of those in the affected areas.
ENDS