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High winds made road trips dangerous in many areas of South Otago and Southland.
The New Zealand Transportation Agency reported that State Highway 93 (Clinton to Mataura) was closed this afternoon due to a downed tree cutting power lines. Contractors and the power company were working to restore supply.
ODT Reporter John Cosgrove battled the winds as he cruised the Catlins and West Otago while on assignments today.
“Outside of Tapanui, at the annual West Otago A&P show, several tents were hastily dismantled as the winds began to pick up around 11:30 am,” he said.
Clinton’s New Zealand Fire and Emergency personnel were moving cars and trucks near the start of Clinton / Mataura Road due to downed power lines beyond the Owaka Valley turnoff.
“On that road, while driving to Owaka, I saw several milk tanker trucks, light trucks and horse floats being hit by strong winds from the south, while many street and highway signs blew up in many parts.”
Mr. Cosgrove said that on Karoro Creek Rd towards Kaka Point, he had to stop and move a large tree branch that had just fallen onto the road blocking one side.
“Along Kaka Point Rd towards Balclutha, strong gusts from the south shook my car as they came out from behind houses and seat belts.”
He said the RNZAF NH90 assigned to a combined New Zealand Police / LandSAR training exercise in Catlins was safely moored on the Owaka Rugby club field as rain and high winds howled through the township.
DUNEDIN INCIDENTS
MetService warned that gusts from west to southwest could reach 120 km / h at times for Dunedin and could reach 130 km / h over the exposed parts of the Clutha coastline in southern Otago from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
By 3 p.m., fire crews had been called to three weather-related jobs in Dunedin, including a loose trampoline blowing in the wind and a property in Andersons Bay where a roof had been lifted off a garage and had damaged a house.
The NZTA advised road users traveling on State Highway 87 between Outram and Kyeburn to be more vigilant on the road.
SOUTH CALLOUTS
In Southland, a New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokesman said between 9 a.m.
Previously, shift manager Johnathan Ditmer said this included flying trampolines and peeled roofs of houses, but nothing too serious.
Strong winds caused part of the spire of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Rimu St, Invercargill, to come loose and the area has been cordoned off to protect the public.
Ditmer said fire crews were not yet able to assess and secure it as the winds this afternoon were making it too dangerous to attempt.
MetService said that in Fiordland and Southland, including Stewart Island, winds can approach strong gales sometimes with gusts of 120 km / h in exposed locations.
However, there will be a shift to strong southwest winds with gusts of 130 km / h around noon, especially in coastal areas.
ELECTRICAL OFFSETS IN SOUTHLAND, OTAGO
Many have failed in Southland since this morning and in parts of Otago since early afternoon.
A post on Aurora Energy’s Facebook page this afternoon said it was aware of the outages affecting parts of Green Island, Fairfield and Abbotsford in Dunedin, but did not say whether this was weather related.
“Our crews are currently on their way to the site to investigate and work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.”
He could not say when power will be restored, but reminded people to treat electrical equipment as if it is connected at all times.
In Southland, a Powernet alert warned that starting at 12 p.m., there were outages in Dacre and Woodlands, caused by trees over the lines, as well as Okapua Rd, Otama Valley Rd and Otamita Rd.
Power was also cut in the East Invercargill, Findlay Rd, Mill Rd North, Mill Rd South, Mross Bush East, Oteramika Rd, Avondale, Dunearn, Heenans Corner, Wakana, and Kennington Township areas.
Also affected are Edendale, Mimihau, Owari, Redan, Tuturau, Venlaw, Warikiki, Wyndham Township, Papatowai, Puketiro, Tahakopa, Tautuku, Boundary Rd, Mokotua, Oteramika, Rimu, Tisbury, Waimatua, Branxholme, Makarewa, Otah, Spar Bushuti, Taramoa, Waianawa and Wrght’s Bush.
Powernet also reported that there were outages in Clinton, Kuriwao, and the Otago areas of Kaiwera and Waipahi due to severe weather conditions.
The cause of many of the outages was being investigated and crews are working to restore power this afternoon.
STRONG WIND WATCH FOR OTHER AREAS
A strong wind watch has been issued for Central Otago, Southern Lakes, North Otago, and Canterbury High Country.
MetService said the west-northwest winds may approach strong gales in central Otago and the southern lakes until 3 p.m. today.
North Otago could experience gales from west to southwest from 4 p.m. today until 1 a.m. tomorrow.
In Canterbury High Country, northwesterly winds could turn into strong gales until 5pm
– By John Cosgrove, Emma Perry and ODT Online
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