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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. The warning lasts until 5 in the afternoon.
At 12:30 p.m. M., New Zealand Fire & Emergencies shift manager Johnathan Ditmer said there were about 15 calls to incidents that included blown up trampolines and peeled roofs from houses, but nothing too serious.
He said 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 could not be sure yet as the winds this afternoon were making it too dangerous to attempt.
INTERRUPTIONS 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.
Meanwhile, MetService warned that gusts from west to southwest could reach 120 km / h at times for Dunedin and could reach 130 km / h on the exposed parts of the Clutha coastline in southern Otago from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The New Zealand Transportation Agency advises drivers traveling on State Highway 87 between Outram and Kyeburn to be more vigilant on the road.
Road conditions throughout the South can be dangerous, especially for drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists.
STRONG WIND CLOCK
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 Emma Perry and ODT Online
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