More than 50 boats were damaged at a marina in Auckland, New Zealand when a tornado struck without warning during a violent thunderstorm.
The tornado struck Westhaven Marina on the evening of August 12. The marina is home to over 2000 boats and one of the southern hemisphere’s largest marinas.
Damage to boats included ripped biminis, furling headsails in tatters and flattened railings. A 30ft yacht was sunk at its berth and a 50ft catamaran was lifted from its moorings and cartwheeled dramatically over the fuel jetty before landing upside down on the opposite side.
- The catamaran Rosella upside down after the violent storm – photo (c) Westhaven Marina
Westhaven’s Marina Manager Kevin Lidgard said it was an unprecedented weather event “that we have never experienced before and may never experience again”.
The marina, along with the neighboring Silo and Viaduct marinas also sustained damage to pontoons and walkways.
The severe storm left a trail of damage along Auckland’s waterfront including toppling shipping containers and causing a ferry to break its moorings.
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