A rare tornado has killed three people in New Zealand, and forecasters say the same storm could generate more twisters.

The small tornado hit at about noon Thursday in Hobsonville, a western suburb of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland. The storm uprooted trees, damaged buildings and caused flooding that closed roads.

Auckland Civil Defence warned that stormy weather and more tornadoes were possible in the city over the coming hours. Tornadoes are relatively rare in New Zealand.

Auckland Fire Service Area Commander Larry Cocker told The Associated Press that three people had died in the storm, although he didn't immediately have more details.

Several injured people were taken to hospitals
.
The New Zealand Herald reported two of the deaths occurred when a slab of concrete fell on a truck.

• Hobsonville, New Zealand