New Plymouth tornado

New Plymouth residents say they were lucky to escape unscathed after a tornado tore through several city blocks with no warning.

The damage around New Plymouth is seen the morning after a tornado struck. RNZ/Robin Martin

Debris is seen on the streets the morning after a tornado roared through New Plymouth. RNZ/Robin Martin

Up to 30 homes were damaged last night when a tornado roared through a New Plymouth suburb on August 20. RNZ/Robin Martin

Residents and businesses are starting to assess the damage from tornadoes that tore through New Plymouth. RNZ/Robin Martin

There was vast amounts of property damage seen around the site where the tornado hit in New Plymouth. RNZ/Robin Martin

Residents say they were lucky there were no injuries. RNZ/Robin Martin

The tornado has cut power lines, tore off roofs, and toppled trees. RNZ/Robin Martin

RNZ/Robin Martin

The tornado approaching New Plymouth. Supplied / Josh Hickford

Emergency services at the scene where a tornado roared through a New Plymouth suburb on August 20. RNZ/Robin Martin

Several roads in the area were closed overnight for safety and to protect properties from looting. RNZ/Robin Martin

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