Powerco customers in Ngātea, Kerepehi, Paeroa and surrounding areas are being urged to stay well clear of downed or low power lines after reports of a tornado going through the area this afternoon.

'To stay safe, it's important if people come across downed or low power lines, they keep well clear and call Powerco's emergency line on 0800 27 27 27,” says Powerco's Network Operations head Caz Haydon.

There are 523 properties in Omanawa affected by a power outage. The power cut occurred at 2.04pm. A site investigation is underway, with power expected to be restored by 6.15pm.

There are also power outages in Ngatea and Thames.

'We've had multiple emergency jobs come through since just after 1.45pm, including reports of lines down,' says Caz.

'Our crews will work to make repairs once it is safe to do so. While our contracted field crews have a depot in Paeroa, the high winds have caused some damage to the building as well as some of the work vehicles.

'For this reason, we've called in back-up from Coromandel to support the crews currently on the ground.

'I'd like to thank our customers for your patience and understanding while we work to get these communities reconnected. Stay safe out there.”

A total of 595 Paeroa customers lost power at 1.46pm, while 947 Ngatea and Kerepehi customers lost supply a minute later at 1.47pm.

Click here for Powerco's outage webpage.

Powerco is New Zealand's second largest electricity utility and gas distribution utility with around 1.1m customers (across 446,000 connections) connected to its networks. Powerco's electricity networks are in Western Bay of Plenty, Thames, Coromandel, Eastern and Southern Waikato, Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Manawatū and the Wairarapa. Its gas pipeline networks are in Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatū and Hawke's Bay.