Latest news with #strongwinds

RNZ News

3 days ago

Climate
RNZ News

Power cuts in Southland, Otago could run into Monday

Strong winds have been making it difficult for lines crews responding to power outages in the lower South Island. Photo: Supplied/ MetService Extended power blackouts are affecting thousands of people in parts of the lower South Island, after strong winds, and for some, the outages will continue for the next two days into Monday. On Saturday, electricity network company PowerNet said three of its networks were badly disrupted by stormy weather overnight. They were OtagoNet, Electricity Invercargill and The Power Company, which services Southland. PowerNet said teams worked to restore power, but faced challenging conditions, and the safety of crews came first. Some customers could remain without power into Monday and people who were medically dependent on electricity should plan accordingly. Strong winds overnight and into Saturday kept firefighters busy in the lower South Island , including calls for help with roofs lifting off houses and fallen trees. MetService forecasters issued strong wind warnings, with gusts up to 130kph in places, although the orange warning was due to expire at 3pm on Saturday. In the North Island, an orange strong wind warning for Hawke's Bay, Napier and down to the Tararua District was still in place until 10pm Sunday, and a heavy swell warning was in place for parts of Wairarapa, from 1am Sunday until late Monday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News

3 days ago

Climate
RNZ News

Flight to Dunedin unable to land due to high winds

Strong winds have buffeted some flights around the country today including causing a rocky approach at Queenstown Airport. Photo: 123RF High winds have made it challenging for passengers aboard flights in some parts of the country today. An orange strong wind warning was in place for Hawke's Bay, from Napier southwards and the Tararua District until 10pm on Saturday night. A similar warning was in force until mid-afternoon for Southern Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha and Dunedin. And Wairarapa was under a strong wind watch until mid-afternoon. At least one flight had to return to Auckland on Saturday morning after being unable to land in Dunedin. Passengers said it was a rocky approach to Queenstown Airport because of the winds. It comes after a tornado hit Hamilton on Thursday night, damaging houses in Nawton including throwing a trampoline into powerlines. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News

3 days ago

Climate
RNZ News

Strong wind warnings for lower North Island, parts of South Island

Strong wind warnings and watches are in place in parts of the South Island and lower west North Island. Photo: MetService Firefighters have attended multiple weather callouts overnight as strong winds batter the lower South Island, including for fallen trees and roofs lifting off houses. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said it had received 10 callouts in Invercargill since 2am on Saturday, and a few in Dunedin since 5am. A strong wind warning was in force for southern Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha and Dunedin until Saturday afternoon, where severe gale southwesterlies could gust up to 130km/h in exposed places. MetService said the strongest winds were expected overnight on Friday and during Saturday morning. Squally thunderstorms were also possible near the coast during Saturday morning. It said the possible impact was damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures. Motorists were warned that driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles. "Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously" A wind warning was also in place for part of Hawke's Bay and the Tararua District until Saturday night. The weather warnings follow a tornado in Hamilton on Thursday night that caused property damage including a trampoline lifted into powerlines, and a hailstorm that pelted Cambridge that afternoon. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.