* Cyclone Gabrielle: Follow our live updates here
* Cyclone Gabrielle: All you need to know today
* Cyclone Gabrielle: When will the bad weather end in your region?
Motorists in the Wellington region have been warned of possible road closures with consistent rainfall and gale-force southerly winds expected over the next 24 hours.
“Conditions may be hazardous on some highways and local roads in the region, with the possibility of trees and other debris down, surface flooding, continuing heavy rain and high winds making driving conditions potentially difficult,” Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said.
Water levels at the State Highway 53 Waihenga Bridge in the Wairarapa are expected to peak this afternoon, and the bridge is likely to close.
Metservice has recorded wind gusts as strong as 146km/h at Mt Kaukau this afternoon and 6.8mm of rain in one hour at the Remutaka Hill summit.
Wellington City Council resilience manager Chris Mathews said two large trees fell on Barnard and Sar Sts in Wadestown this morning and one might have brought down powerlines.
“Wind speeds appear to be increasing along with heavy rainfall – and the council is starting to receive reports of trees toppling and flooding.”
Mathews said the risk of slips and flooding was increasing and council staff and contractors were watching the situation closely.
Cyclone Gabrielle is making its way across the North Island, although Wellington Region Emergency Management has reported most of its impact is further north.
A state of national emergency has been declared but at this stage, this doesn’t apply to Wellington City. It has been extended to cover the Tararua District.
Regardless, Welingtonians have been advised to avoid all non-essential travel today.
MetService has issued an orange strong wind warning for Wairarapa, Tararua District, Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua.
Southeast gales could be severe at times with gusts reaching 130km/h in exposed places, the forecaster warned.
The wind is expected to ease in these places this afternoon but will continue in Wellington until midnight, where the warning is also in place.
An orange heavy rain warning is also in place for Wairarapa and Tararua District until 6pm.
It’s expected between 50 and 100mm of rain will accumulate about the ranges and eastern hills, and 30-50mm in lower-lying areas.
This is on top of the rain that has already fallen.
Rongotai College has closed because of the worsening weather conditions and all Cook Strait and harbour ferry sailings are cancelled.
Wellington Water said the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant had to discharge fully treated wastewater at Waiwhetu Steam because of heavy rainfall.
As a result, water in the harbour near the mouth of the Hutt River may appear cloudy or murky
Hutt City Council has advised the Riverbank car park is closed. Block Rd in Lower Hutt is also closed.
Several roads are closed in the Masterton District Council region because of slips and flooding including Te Parae Rd and Masterton Castlepoint Rd from Taueru.
“There is no longer safe road access into and out of our eastern and coastal communities with more likely to close as the weather continues,” the council said on its website.
With the rain warning extended to 6pm, flood levels may take some time to recede to allow the council to access other problems such as slips.
Sandbags were made available to Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa residents ahead of the bad weather.
Wellington Electricity has warned of potential power outages in Wellington, Hutt Valley and Porirua.
Chief executive Greg Skelton said the wind could cause trees and branches to fall on power lines.
“If you see fallen lines, please stay well away from them.”
Interislander executive general manager Walter Rushbrook said ferry sailings would be cancelled for 24 hours from 2am today. The cancellations affect 12 sailings.
“Safety is our top priority and the weather has made cancellation the only option. We have also been advised Picton Port is closed due to high wind/swell conditions until 10pm.”
Follow live updates of Cyclone Gabrielle here.
Bookings are being fully refunded and customers have been told to check the Interislander’s website for availability later in the week.
A Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries spokeswoman said the company also hoped to resume sailings tomorrow morning.
Metlink general manager Samantha Gain said passengers who do not need to travel over the coming days should stay home.
Bus and rail networks remain open but Ngauranga station will be closed to trains and a shuttle will operate between Wellington, Ngauranga and Petone in both directions.
”Given its exposed location, with forecast high winds and possible swells, we are unable to safely let passengers board or disembark from Ngauranga Station’s platforms,” Gain said.
The Capital Connection train is not running today.
Any public transport updates or disruptions to services will be posted on Metlink’s website and app, Gain said.
Many homes in Wairoa remain empty, with 83 still yellow-stickered.
