It’s been another stormy night along the North Island’s west coast with damaging gales, lightning, and heavy rain.

Last night WeatherWatch.co.nz issued a press release saying a front was racing up the country and would bring winds that could be “damaging to trees and powerlines” and at 2am those damaging winds slammed Taranaki.

The region is this morning waking and recovering from a wild night of weather

NewstalkZB reporter John Blackman told WeatherWatch.co.nz that the strong winds caused some damage and cut power.  “A tornado brought down power lines and tore the roof from a shed at Oakura around two o’clock, while emergency services were called to deal with fallen powerlines and a tree across the road at Kaitake an hour later”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz can’t confirm if it was a tornado or a squall.

Mr Blackman says a storm front brought lightning and hail through just after two o’clock.

Squally conditions also hit Auckland around 4am with heavy rain and very strong gusts.

Currently Auckland has gusts to 90km/h.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says it’s not over yet – another front will race up the South Island later today and into the North Island tomorrow morning.  It may bring hail, squalls and again the risk of damaging winds.