A Dunedin man was last night clambering to secure his home after strong winds tore away part of his roof.
Ivan Mason said he was sitting in the living room of his Teignmouth St, Abbotsford, home with family about 5pm yesterday when a particularly strong gust hit and the windows started shaking.
‘‘And we were thinking . . .that's pretty bad. And then there was just a really big noise. I can't even describe it. And then I could hear tin flapping around.''
When he looked outside, he saw half the roof hanging off, he said.
‘‘It's just so sudden. It's literally lifted all the nails and the whole roof system's just folded off.''
He was relieved the roof had not detached completely and gone flying through the suburb.
He immediately called the fire brigade for help and contacted his insurance company. Last night, he was up on the roof battening down the makeshift repairs.
Friends and his daughter's partner - a roofer - were helping.
A Facebook appeal, set up by strangers who had seen his roof, had resulted in a load of donated goods.
‘‘I can tell you I was impressed. It's great. It's what community's all about.''
