Ex-cyclone Tam wreaked havoc in Auckland, causing several trees to topple over due to strong winds.
Esme Barber, a resident of North Shore, recounted how her daughter and babysitter had narrowly escaped the falling tree. “They had parked briefly to grab a few things from the house, and as they were heading back to the car, they heard a loud noise,” she said. “When they looked back, they saw a massive tree on top of the car. I’m just grateful they weren’t inside at that moment; it could have been a terrifying experience.”
Barber had previously raised concerns about the tree on Northboro Rd to the council. “I’ve reported it multiple times. Just recently, there was a branch that fell, and the council sent arborists to address it. They are well aware of the issue,” she explained. “Despite the reports, the owners of the trees have not taken any action. Today could have ended in a tragedy.”
Auckland Council has issued a warning for strong winds and potential surface flooding on Thursday. Auckland and Great Barrier Island are under strong wind advisories until midnight, with a heavy rain watch in effect until early Friday morning.
