The roof peeling off a house in Newlands, Wellington. Photo: RNZ/Jess Charlton
A Wellington resident heard two loud bangs before discovering the roof of his carport in Newlands had blown off.
"We came out to secure the carport but it was pretty much gone," Hone Tibble said.
He rang Fire and Emergency, who came quickly, he said.
Now the roof above his bedroom is badly damaged.
"It's slowly peeling back, there's already some rain going inside.
"But essentially I'm still watching the NBA basketball, so it's still warm inside, but you can feel the challenges that are happening right now."'
A roof blown off in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Ellen O'Dwyer
Tibble said he hasn't experienced northwesterlies at this level before, and such a prolonged period of bad weather.
"With the bad winds we've had to date, obviously it's just hammered the carport and this is the result of it."
Despite the damage, everyone was safe, with most going to stay at other family houses Thursday night, Tibble said.
"We are just hoping for the best and securing stuff of our loved ones."
The incident had hit home as to how ferocious the elements could be, Tibble said.
"You definitely get cautious and you start becoming aware of ... possible fatalities and how small we are in the grasps of the weather."
Police closed vehicle and pedestrian access to Maginnity Street in Central Wellington due to loose cladding. Photo: Samuel Rillstone/RNZ
Earlier on Thursday police closed vehicle and pedestrian access to Maginnity Street in Central Wellington.
Metal cladding - about six stories above street level - was peeling off the corner of a building on the eastern side of the street in high winds.
A police officer at the scene said the damage is gradually growing as strong winds batter the northern edge of the building.
She said if metal from the structure was to become airborne it would pose a high risk to people or property.
The officer said Wellingtonians appear to have heeded warnings to stay home as the streets are relatively quiet.
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