Source: Radio New Zealand
Akaroa hit by flooding as storm moves south. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
The winds that struck Wellington on Monday were the strongest in more than a decade, MetService says.
Gusts of 193 kilometres an hour were recorded at Mount Kaukau, and 128km/h at Wellington Airport – the highest for both since 2013.
An orange heavy rain warning for the eastern hills of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range, expired at 11pm Monday.
More than 30,000 properties lost power on Monday as wild winds brought trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.
Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.
Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.
Meanwhile, homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to the threat of falling trees.
Air NZ cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.
“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are now being lashed by heavy rain as the wild weather moves south, causing flooding in Akaroa.
Downpours have turned the harbour township’s recreation ground into a lake, with some streets awash near the sea.
An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the peninsula – where up to 100 millimetres of further rain could fall – until 6pm Tuesday.
Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains and foothills, between the Rangitata River and Amberley, are under a heavy rain watch until 10am.
Christchurch City Council said it is closely watching the weather and is aware of reports of surface flooding.
It said roading crews are on standby overnight, and more will be known in the morning.
Transport officials and councils are closely monitoring water levels in Lake Forsyth that could affect State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.
See how the day unfolded in our blog:
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
