18,000 Strikes in Electrifying 19hrs: Severe Warning Issued as Storms Continue, Slip Closes Gorge

Storms cut power in North Island

A tornado was seen near the Waikato town of Ōtorohanga. Photo: Screenshot Residents are without power as stormy weather continues to lash the North Island.

18,000 strikes in electrifying 19hrs: Severe warning issued as storms continue, slip closes gorge

Almost 18,000 lightning strikes have been recorded over the past 19 hours and a highway closed by slips as severe thunderstorms rumble across the North...

Weather: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain warnings for North Island, upper South

A reported tornado also damaged houses on Auckland's North Shore as heavy rain warnings remain in place for many regions.

Storm changes direction after earlier severe thunderstorm warning

The forecast for ACT shows destructive winds and hailstones as severe storms approach on Thursday afternoon. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning.