Gales wreak havoc in Wairarapa

Wind rolls a trailer on the side of SH2 near Clareville. PHOTO/ EMILY NORMAN

Strong gusts wreaked havoc in Wairarapa yesterday, leaving nearly 3000 homes in the region without power.

Powerco network operations manager Phil Marsh said the power went off at 1pm and by late afternoon had been restored to all but 280 customers who were due to have supply restored last night.

The high-speed winds also sparked a flurry of Fire Service and brigade callouts in Masterton and Carterton.

Masterton Station Officer Doug Flowerday said by late afternoon Masterton crews had attended about 12 wind-related callouts, including a blown over power pole in Essex St.

Firefighters had cordoned off the area where the powerlines were down while waiting for Powerco to repair the pole, he said.

Roofs had also been blown off several buildings - including one in the CBD on Church St - and fences had been blown over in Villa St.

The best advice was to stay indoors, Mr Flowerday said.

"If there's powerlines down just stay away and call emergency services and we'll deal with it - and obviously with high winds the best place is indoors."

Carterton Chief Fire Officer Wayne Robinson said the Carterton brigade had attended a lifted roof, blown over trees, and blown in windows in the early afternoon.

"At least 20 members have turned up this afternoon which is good," he said.

"Everyone is hanging around because there's not really much else to do at home.

"Can't mow the lawns today and it's a bit windy for golf."

MetService meteorologist Nicole Ranger said with north-westerly gusts of up to 117km/h in Masterton yesterday, the district had experienced some of the strongest winds in the country.

Strong winds turning to the south-west were forecast for today but would be "nowhere near what people experienced" yesterday, Ms Ranger said.