Police have confirmed that one person has been killed as a result of a tornado that passed through Albany on Auckland’s North Shore.Prime Minister John Key has told media at Parliament that two are confirmed dead.

North Shore Hospital is dealing with 20 casualties.Two have been taken to Auckland Hospital with serious injuries.St John Ambulance spokesperson Tony Smith says patients are being taken to various hospitals.He says one person died enroute to hospital.

The NZ Transport Agency advises all drivers to take extreme care heading home tonight because of the adverse weather conditions.State Highway 17 on the North Shore is closed from Greville Road up to Albany Village. Rosebury Road in Birkenhead is closed. Internal roads surrounding the Albany Mega Centre remain closed. Kaipatiki Road is expected to be closed until around 10pm. 

Lots of emergency vehicles are still on the road and there is storm damage as well.Emergency services are still checking if people are trapped in buildings.Civil Defence says some people may need to be evacuated and they are arranging accommodation in preparation for that.

The extent of the damage is still being assessed but Albany Mega Centre (across the road from Westfield Albany) suffered the brunt of the tornado’s fury.

NewstalkZB