![\"Tornado](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/190426bopSPtornado1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nA tornado reportedly ripped through parts of Tauranga last night, with damage reported in several areas following a night of wild weather.<\/p>\n
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they responded to several callouts in Tauranga overnight as the storm hit, including roofs lifting and trees falling.<\/p>\n
A Welcome Bay Rd resident said a mini tornado ripped through their property about 1.30am, destroying their trampoline and other play equipment.<\/p>\n
She described it as “scary” but said she was thankful she and her family were okay.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Power is out to 75 homes in Welcome Bay, according to lines company PowerCo.<\/p>\n
The cause of the outage about 1.27am is listed as “tornado”.<\/p>\n
A Powerco spokesperson said the tornado damaged houses and the power network.<\/p>\n
“Our contractor, North Power, will be on site today with an inspector to restore supply to the houses, if safe to do so. North Power also have extra resources to attend to the remaining jobs in the region with vegetation damage.”<\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council said Welcome Bay Rd was closed\u00a0from around Tauranga Waldorf School to the Welcome Bay Hot Pools.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This closure was likely to remain in place into tomorrow and the council said people should use an alternative route to travel into the city.<\/p>\n
Tye Park in Welcome Bay is closed, with people asked to avoid the area as there are “numerous trees down”.<\/p>\n
In the CBD, Devonport Rd is closed after a tree came down. There were also branches down in Brown and Grey Sts.<\/p>\n
Several large branches fell in Hamilton St west next to Wharepai Reserve\/Tauranga Domain, narrowly missing four cars. This street is also closed west of Cameron Rd.<\/p>\n
Damage has also been reported in Te Hono St, Maungatapu, including to the sunroom of a home.<\/p>\n
The council said there have been reports of damage to houses, and asked that people check in on their neighbours, friends and wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n
More to come<\/p>\n
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