High winds have uprooted trees and are throwing waves and debris over roads in Dunedin today, causing travelling problems and damaging property.
Howling northeasterly winds stripped trees of branches, flinging them across roads, and uprooted some trees, one of which fell across two parked cars in the city.
However, the strongest winds
were recorded on the southeast coast today. Metservice forecaster Heath Gullery said that winds reached 90kmh at Nugget Point, 30km southeast of Balclutha.
Dunedin police Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane said police and Dunedin City Council staff had been busy all night and this morning responding to calls.
North Dunedin residents reported trees blocking roads, while those travelling between the city and the peninsula had difficulties with debris on the road.
"This morning, the wind is that strong that the surf is actually coming up onto Portsmouth Rd, and out on the peninsula which is causing a few problems," Mr Lennane told NZPA.
"They can still drive along there, but there is a warning about the conditions. We did have one call during the night with debris coming up onto the road."
He said the temperature was quite warm and it was only the wind that was causing difficulties.
Mr Gullery said winds were likely to continue today, but would change direction about midday.
"Of more interest is the stronger wind off the east coast at Nugget Point. It's pretty gusty as well. I wouldn't want to be caught on a coastal road in a van or anything in that kind of weather," he told NZPA.
"The northeasterly is going to swing around to the northwest around midday. It will still be gusty but not as strong wind speed as at the moment."
The northeasterlies had brought warm temperatures, which were expected to cool off once the front has gone through.
Mr Gullery also warned there would be heavy showers over Westland and Buller in the next few hours.
- NZPA
