On Tuesday afternoon it was WeatherWatch.co.nz reader Paul Burnett who first alerted us of the Albany tornado.  After quickly sending us a video link he rushed home to check on his property, which thankfully was OK.

“It was a surreal experience seeing that ripping through the Albany basin. Didn’t think I’d ever see something like that around here. Terrifying but simply awesome to watch”.

Paul says he was just a young boy when when the last tornado hit Albany around 20 years ago and he says getting the chance to see that one was something that he will never forget.

Paul Burnett sent us this incredible photo of a friends car with a piece of timber through its grill/radiator. “His wife drove right into the tornado on Bush Rd. Too close for comfort really” he said.

Had this tornado missile been a little higher it could’ve smashed through the windscreen. 

 – WeatherWatch.co.nz