Massive cleanup ahead for West Auckland after tornado

  • Breaking
  • 06/12/2012

 

 

A massive clean up lies ahead for West Auckland, as the region licks its wounds from yesterday's chain of devastating tornadoes.

The twisters killed three people and put seven others in hospital as they carved deadly paths of destruction through the suburbs of Whenuapai and Hobsonville - felling trees, tearing apart houses and leaving 500 without electricity.

Crews have been working through the night to restore power, and police have been on the streets to deter looters taking advantage of empty homes left by 250 forced to spend the night camped at the Whenuapai Air Base.

The death toll equals the country's previous worst tornado which occurred in Hamilton in 1948.

The names of yesterday's victims are yet to be released, with police still trying to notify their next-of-kin.

Prime Minister John Key will be getting a first-hand look at the devastation that has caused havoc in his Helensville electorate, when he tours the area today.

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source: newshub archive