UPDATED

Reports are coming in from all over Auckland, Waikato and now Bay of Plenty of trees coming down, some roofs being lifted and power being cut.

Vector’s website says that at least 25 suburbs in Auckland have some form of power distruption from the gales and thunderstorms that moved over the city around 6:30pm.

As of 8pm severe weather was moving into Whakatane.

NZHerald.co.nz has reported that the storm currently has brought down trees across State Highway One near Rangiriri in the Waikato, blocking northbound lanes entirely.

Motorist Sue Willmore, who is travelling south, said “it looked like a tornado had gone through. There were massive trees down across the motorway. At least one car was smashed up.”

Police and Fire are flat out attending weather incidents across the upper North Island.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the risk for severe thunderstorms appears to be easing for those in the west but severe gales are likely to continue if not increase in some areas over the coming hours during squalls coming off the Tasman Sea.

WeatherWatch.co.nz strongly urges people to remain indoors tonight as winds bring down trees, branches and powerlines across the upper North Island.
 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz with NZHerald.co.nz