Hurricane-force winds lashing NZ

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Motorists are being warned to drive to the conditions as heavy rain and strong winds lash New Zealand today, bringing down trees and powerlines.

A strong-wind warning was earlier today issued for Marlborough - excluding the Sounds - Wellington, Wairarapa, the central and lower North Island, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reported stunning hurricane force winds gusting over 172kmh on Mt Kaukau in Wellington.

Gusts reaching 120kmh were also recorded at Wellington Airport.
State Highway two at Rimutaka Hill has been closed due to the high winds, although the gusts are now easing.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan said the winds could make driving dangerous for some drivers in exposed areas dangerous.

"Vans, caravans, motorbikes and trucks will be worst affected by these winds across Wellington and Wairarapa. We advise extreme caution and recommend waiting until later in the day to drive in the two regions."

Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa could expect gusts of up to 130km/h and other areas gusts of up to 120km/h.

"Gusts of this strength can cause damage to trees, powerlines and insecure buildings, as well as make driving conditions hazardous especially for motorcyclists and high sided vehicles," MetService said.

Fire service central spokesman Chris Dalton said it had been a busy morning for the service, but there had not been any serious incidents attended.

"The majority of fire appliances in the Greater Wellington area have been to a call-out this morning," he said.

MetService forecaster Richard Finnie said the winds had now peaked around Wellington and were easing off.

"The highest wind speed we've had is at Rimutaka Hill Rd - we've had gusts up to 78 knots, which is 144km/h - and at Mt Kaukau we had gusts to 172km/h.

"On the Kapiti Coast we had gusts of 60knots (111km/h) at the airport - that's quite high for them."

Mr Finnie said the band of rain was now moving up the North Island, with the heaviest falls in the central North Island around the central plateau and Mt Taranaki.

He said the showers should move through Auckland fairly quickly but will be heavy.

The rains are likely to interrupt the T20 cricket internationals at Seddon Park in Hamilton, Mr Finnie said, as play is due to start in the first match between the New Zealand and Australian women's teams at 2.45pm.

"The rain there probably won't ease until late afternoon," he said.

Campers preparing for evacuation

Campers and trampers have been told to prepare for evacuation as rivers rise rapidly, in many parts threatening to burst their banks.

Network Tasman is working to restore power for Rockville and Bainham residents in Golden Bay.

While flood waters are reported to be receding, several South Island roads are still closed due to surface flooding, including SH60 at Takaka, cutting off much of Golden Bay, SH6 at Renwick and at Canvastown (between Blenheim and Nelson), SH6 at the Lower Buller Gorge, SH63 between Arthurs Pass and Otira, SH73 between Otira and Kumara, SH69 from Inangahua to Reefton, SH65 from Murchison to Springs Junction, SH67 from Westport to Mokihinui, and SH7 Hanmer Springs to Springs Junction.

A bridge in the Glen Roy Valley, near Murchison, has been washed out.

Click here for a list of road closures.

Police say that some motorists are putting themselves at risk by ignoring road closure signs.

"The closures are in place due to the dangerous conditions and members of the public are reminded that they must comply with any closure signs," Southern Communications Centre shift commander Inspector John Doherty said.

The Tasman district has been one of the worst affected by the weather with the Civil Defence being activated in response to rivers running at record high level following heavy overnight rain.

Tasman District Council said that the Aorere River was running at eight metres, the highest level since records began in 1977.

The Maitai River was at a seven-year flood level, with high tide reached and the river level now trending down.

Flood-trapped residents

Fire service spokesman Andrew Norris said the Rye Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade this morning rescued occupants from one vehicle who got trapped in their vehicle by flood water on SH6 at Pelorus Bridge, near Havelock. No one was injured, he said.

Mr Norris said the fire service had been to a "couple of dozen" callouts today as a result of the wild weather.

"There are some people who are trapped in their homes which are surrounded in flood water. It is safer for them to stay where they are," he said.

Regional Civil Defence Controller Jim Frater said "We are continuing to monitor river levels closely. At this stage we are not dealing with too many problems, although there is significant flooding in the Aorere and Anatoki rivers.

"The forecast is for the rain to ease. It will be difficult and damp time for campers."

MetService has issued a heavy-rain warning for Westland, Otago, parts of Canterbury, Buller, Nelson, Marlborough, Wellington and the Kapiti Coast, the Tararua Range, Taranaki, the Central North Island high country and the ranges of the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Click here for the MetService warnings.

"The very heavy rain which has fallen over central and southern New Zealand in the last 24 hours has brought high rivers levels in many places, and river levels will continue to rise this morning.

"There may also be slips, surface flooding and poor visibility in the heavy rain making driving conditions hazardous," MetService said.

Mountain Safety Council chief Executive Officer Darryl Carpenter advised trampers in the South Island to stay indoors, but if they did go out to take particular care around swollen rivers.

"You should never cross a flooded or fast-flowing river or stream. If in doubt, stay out. Trampers and day walkers have lost their lives after being swept away when attempting to cross swollen rivers.

"The best plan is to sit out poor weather conditions, camp an extra night or two and wait until the weather improves. This means taking extra food, a communications device such as mountain radio or personal locator beacon and other equipment appropriate to the terrain and conditions."

Bad weather likely to clear by this evening

Yesterday MetService duty forecaster Oliver Druce said the front would affect most of New Zealand.

But it was also fast-moving and the worst of the bad weather should clear by this evening. "We think this will be a very severe event," he said.

"There is potential for flooding and overflowing rivers from heavy rains and also damage from heavy winds in some places."

Weather Watch chief analyst Philip Duncan yesterday said Auckland, Coromandel and Northland would be on the edge of the stormiest weather.

"However, even winds of 30km/h can make for uncomfortable sleeping conditions in tents and awnings, and winds may be gusting to more than twice that amount - up to 70 or even 80km/h in exposed areas."

Most of the country would enjoy a dry New Year's Eve, he predicted. "Once this weather has cleared by Wednesday morning, we can all go back to having summer weather again."

MetService reported the weather system was moving quickly across the country and more settled weather was likely to follow for the first week of the New Year.