© Sam WanrooyA tornado struck at Ross, south of Hokitika.
The Haast Pass road is closed tonight by fallen trees as wild weather, including heavy rain and tornadoes, lashes parts of the South Island.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says it'll give an update about the Haast Pass by 10am tomorrow.
The Arthurs Pass road, State Highway 73, has reopened but care is needed after it was closed by extreme winds between Springfield and Arthurs Pass this afternoon which saw a trailer tip over.
A tornado hit Rutherglen about 10 kilometres south of Greymouth on the West Coast and another was reported at Ross, south of Hokitika, both whipped up by thunderstorms.
West Coast Civil Defence says there've been more thunderstorms in the region tonight but the worst conditions are high winds and heavy rain.
Spokesman Chris Raine told ONE News mid-evening the main front had still not arrived and there's a risk of stronger winds overnight, more thunderstorns and a small coastal tornado.
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