Lightning strikes cut power to 788 Hastings homes

Lightning strikes in Raukawa caused Raureka's power supply to be cut for several hours on Monday. PHOTO/FILE

Lightning strikes on Monday caused 788 households in Hastings to be without power, some for several hours.

Lines company Unison's relationship manager Danny Gough said there were lightning strikes in Raukawa shortly after 4pm that damaged power lines and transformers on poles feeding into Hastings.

Some areas needed portable generators feeding into the grid, where lengthy repairs were necessary.

"It was about three or four hours before we could even get the generator out there," he said.

The Hastings suburb of Raureka had the most damage to its electricity supply and normal service was not resumed until 1am on Tuesday.