Natural hazards

Tornado

Tornados frequently occur in Auckland but Aucklands tornados are much smaller than the very large ones that occur in the midwest of the United States.

Tornados are a mass of unstable air rotating up to 244 km/hr which rises rapidly around a centre of unstable air. On average, 1-2 tornadoes and watersprouts (tornadoes over water) are reported in Auckland every year. In New Zealand they usually have a damage path 10-20 m wide and 1-5 km long, and usually only have a life of around 15 minutes.

Consequences of Damaging Tornados in Auckland

In Auckland, damaging tornadoes have a return period in the order of 2-3 years, and have caused damage to:

• buildings and power lines (August 1980; May 1982; September 1986; August 1992; March 1997) - up to 50 houses received damage in August 1992
• fences and trees (August 1980; September 1986; August 1992)
  Vehicles (overturned)
• only 1 life is known to have been lost in tornado events in Auckland.

Tornado in Albany, May 1991:

During May 1991, a tornado hit the small township of Albany, north of Auckland causing roofing iron to be lifted from homes and the destruction of a small church that was located on the south-western side of the village. No severe injuries occurred, but one man died when debris spread by the tornado collided with him while he was driving a bulldozer.

View a video of the damage done by the Albany Tornado below.

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How do you measure Tornado Intensity?