UPDATE: Lightning takes out traffic lights

The traffic lights in Kawerau have been restored but homes in the Eastern Bay town remain without power.

A lightning strike took out the only set of traffic lights in Kawerau at the intersection of Tamarangi Dr and Fletcher Ave at 3.12pm.

Horizon Energy network general manager Peter Middlemiss said the low voltage power was restored but staff were still working on the 11,000 volt fault which was damaged by the lightning strike.

"The traffic lights were probably down close to an hour but the surrounding area including the SCA Mill is still without power," Mr Middlemiss said.

"No major areas in the Eastern Bay of Plenty have been affected."

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The weather caused havoc throughout the Eastern Bay with readers supplying these photos:

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