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Storm aftermath: What you need to know
Tens of thousands of Auckland homes and businesses are without power after a storm battered the city overnight. Here's the essential information, region by region.
For the latest, follow our live blog and check full coverage of the autumn storm.
Send any weather photos or videos you want to share to: iwitness@radionz.co.nz
Auckland
• More
than 100,000 homes and businesses are without power in
Auckland overnight as 140km/h winds tore through the city.
MetService recorded a gust at 213km/h
• Power company
Vector said it may be several days before power is
restored
• At least 20 schools and early childhood
centres in Auckland are closed today
• Roads are closed
and others partially blocked: check theAuckland Council website for the
latest.
• Some traffic lights, motorway signs and
traffic cameras are not working because of power
outages.
• Train delays and cancellations on the
western and southern lines are expected to continue during
the day.
• Ferry and bus services are operating but
there may be delays
• Flights have resumed at Auckland
Airport, which closed its runway last night because of
debris
• Seven vessels have come ashore around the
region
• MetService is forecasting strong winds in
Auckland on Thursday night and early
Friday.
Northland, Coromandel, Waikato
• A water treatment plant in Tairua,
Coromandel, is out of action because of a power cut -
residents are asked to conserve water until power is
restored.
• State Highway 26 between Paeroa and Thames
is closed - though it's because of a major fire at the Kopu Mill, not
the weather.
• MetService is forecasting strong winds
in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato on Thursday
night and early
Friday
Taranaki
• More than 1200
properties without power in Taranaki, including at
Okato, Rahotū and Ōpunake and Stratford.
• Workers
are assessing roads and moving fallen trees after a tornado
ripped through Rahotū, northwest of
Ōpunake, yesterday. At least half a dozen houses lost their
roofs. More than 13,000 lightning strikes hit the
region.
• MetService is warning of heavy rain in
Eastern Taranaki today
Central North Island, Manawatū / Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, Wellington
• Yesterday's tornado at National
Park Village downed trees and power lines and ripped roofs
of houses. A tornado was also spotted in
Tongariro
• MetService is warning of heavy rain in
Whanganui hill country and parts of Hawke's Bay today, and
snow on the Desert Road and Napier-Taupo
Road.
• Wellington Harbour ferry services from Queens
Wharf to Days Bay are cancelled.
South Island
• All South Island roads are open but
drivers are being urged to take care.
• Snow is
forecast to fall on the Lewis Pass (SH7), Porters Pass
(SH73) and Milford Road (SH94).
Today's weather
Severe weather warnings remain in force with heavy rain and severe gales for many parts of the North Island. For the latest, check MetService warnings.
Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino said there would be rain and possibly some hail for the upper North Island.
"We'll see the winds still brisk and strong. Cold for everyone, I mean we'll be lucky to hit the mid tens in Auckland today.
"People down south are probably thinking they'd love to see 14 or 15 as they won't escape the single digits down across the South Island."
He said there would be a break in the wind tomorrow then another system would approach from the west again.
"Winds not nearly as strong, but the winds will become gusty again, we'll see some showers ... I do see much warmer weather coming as Sunday rolls around and for the start of the school holidays."
RNZ
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