The wild winds that continued to hammer Hawke's Bay yesterday - sparking fires and felling power poles - are expected to stick around for the rest of the week.
Severe gales gusting up to 100km/h hit the region's roads yesterday morning.
Hastings Fire Service Senior Station Officer Bruno Saathof said the fire crew was called about 8.30am after a number of power poles and a transformer were brought down on SH50 just south of Salisbury Rd.
The fallen power lines were live and posed a risk of fire. Both lanes of the highway were closed for about 30 minutes.
The fire crew was also called to a fallen tree on the same highway soon after, which covered one lane and was cleared within 20 minutes.
Napier Fire Service station officer Blair Basher said the Napier fire crew attended "half a dozen" vegetation fires yesterday, some of which were caused by power lines arcing.
Unison spokesman Danny Gough said about six poles were downed by wind in rural Hastings and Napier yesterday, affecting about 300 customers.
"We've been hit fairly hard. It's been a very busy day for our guys, especially coming off the back of the weekend."
Gale-force winds caused a string of grass and vegetation fires at the weekend due to arcing power lines causing sparks. Meanwhile, yesterday's weather caused a stink on some Hastings streets, with a Hastings District Council spokesman saying there were "major litter issues" in certain areas of the rubbish collection zone including Gascoigne St and Wall Rd.
Domestic recycling and waste wheelie bins had been blown around the streets and an extra rubbish truck was placed in Akina to clean up the mess.
WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said the strong winds would be "off and on" for the rest of the week.
"You've got a bit more to go yet."
The region could expect a surge in winds every 12 to 18 hours up until Sunday.
"All the winds die out on Sunday and Monday thanks to a large high over Hawke's Bay. There's some hot, dry, sunny weather later this month. Generally speaking, the rest of November looks calmer for Hawke's Bay after this week.
Mr Duncan said residents may be surprised at the unsettled weather this month after November had been quite calm in the past few years.
"This is text book spring - the entire season is defined by winter's very slow departure and the gradual increase in summer weather. It's supposed to be a windy and confusing season."
Today is expected to be fine with a high of 23C, high cloud and westerlies strengthening in the afternoon.