A massive clean-up operation is underway in Greymouth, after a tornado ripped through the West Coast town on Thursday.
Civil Defence says the twister, which hit at about 1 pm, came straight in off the sea, headed on a south easterly course through the central business district and disappeared over the hills at the back of the town.
The twister cut a path through Blaketown and central Greymouth, with three people suffering moderate and minor injuries.
The Kowhai Resthome has been evacuated and police say 48 commercial buildings and houses were damaged or destroyed.
A staff member at a Caltex service station Claire Murphy-Klempel says part of the forecourt was blown off, windows blown out, and cars damaged.
The Grey District Mayor says it is a miracle no one was killed.
Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says the tornado came up the Greymouth River, ripped the rugby clubrooms apart and then went across the lagoon and demolished office buildings and homes.
He says the situation is under control and the clean up is underway. Civil Defence and council staff have decided it is not necessary to declare a state of emergency.
Accomodation is being arranged for around 30 residents who will be unable to return to their homes for a while.
About 100 firefighters, many from outside Greymouth, are involved in securing buildings and protecting property.
Chief Fire Officer Alan McEnaney says about 20 buildings are unsafe to enter because they have been so badly damaged. He says the damage is wide spread, with one part of Blaketown particularly hard hit.
Heavy rain is falling in Greymouth and while most power
supplies, which were knocked out by the tornado, have been
restored, Westpower says it may be Friday before Blaketown
residents are reconnected.
