Three people were reportedly killed when very strong winds brought by "a series of tornadoes" struck west Auckland, New Zealand just after 1:00 p.m. Thursday.

A photo on NBC News shows the typical imprints of a storm outside an Auckland home. More photos are available at The New Zealand Herald web site.

NZ Fire services communications manager Peter Stevenson said two people died in a tragic incident involving a truck and a slab of concrete.

At least seven people had been injured and rushed to Auckland and North Shore hospitals, according to a Herald source.

Radio New Zealand reported: "Police say the three people killed and seven injured are believed to have either been involved in the construction of a school at Hobsonville Point, or struck by a tree."

The severe weather felled trees and sent roofs flying out in Hobsonville and the Upper Harbour areas, the reports said.

New Zealand Tornado Witness Accounts

Sam Nuthall, a tornado witness, was working on the construction site of a new high school at Hobsonville. He spoke to Radion NZ to describe the impact of the severe weather. He said "debris flew everywhere and steel was thrown around."

"Where I was - we were sort of sheltering between a big block wall and a truck - and crates and everything (were) flying at the truck, breaking the windows... I've never been in weather like that before," he said.

Damages Still Being Assessed

Emergency services are doing its best to reach out to victims. But with the power supply shutdown in critical areas, the extent of damages is still unknown.

Auckland Airport has issued a warning on delayed and cancelled flights due to severe weather conditions.

"The severe weather experienced in Auckland today has caused some disruption to air travel, particularly to some regional New Zealand destinations," said Auckland Airport communications manager Richard Llewellyn told the media.

Meteorologist Daniel Corbett told the media forecasts indicate heavy rain and strong winds would persist until early Thursday evening.

"A severe thunderstorm watch is in place until 6 o'clock this evening," he said.

Asked to confirm "a series of tornadoes," Corbett said, it cannot be confirmed nor ruled out immediately.

"You can't completely rule out another small tornado... Conditions are still favourable [for tornado emergence] -- warm humid air [and] low-level winds converging."

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