Winds hit Hawke's Bay: Truck rolls in CHB, tramp stops traffic in Napier, flights cancelled, fire starts in Meeanee

This trampoline stopped traffic after blowing onto Latham St in Napier this morning. Photo Sharne Ramsay.

Strong winds are causing chaos around Hawke's Bay.

A truck has been blown over in Takapau, a trampoline's been blown into the street in Napier and walkways are closed, with strong wind warnings in place for the rest of the day.

A scrub fire has also started near Meeanee Speedway after a powerline was blown over.

Some Air New Zealand flights to and from Napier have also been delayed or cancelled due to crosswinds.

A spokeswoman said three outbound services from Napier were cancelled as a result of crosswinds and four flights were also delayed due to crosswinds.

Napier Port on a windy, gusty Friday. Photo / Supplied.

Napier Port's container terminal and Thames Street depots have re-opened after improvement in weather conditions.

Previously on the port's Facebook page they had posted that gusts of 48 knots had hit the port and safety protocols required the port to close until conditions improved, meaning no machines were operating on site and no trucks would be allowed entry.

No damage was reported and shipping had not been impacted.

The Viking Sun was scheduled to call into Napier this morning, but her maiden visit was cancelled due to high winds.

The cruise ship will instead continue on to its next scheduled stop in Wellington.

The council has closed Sturm's Gully on Napier Hill, the Park Island and Plantation Reserve walkways because of the danger of flying branches, leaves and other material.

The walkways will open when the nor'wester eases, and the council can confirm they are safe.

MetService has issued a 'strong wind warning' for Hawke's Bay south of Hastings and Wairarapa from the Remutaka Hill northwards.

Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the strong northwesterly gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.

He added that driving could be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

"The warning applies to areas south of Hastings where the westerly gales could gust up to 120-130kmph in exposed places," Ferris said.

"At the Napier Airport we recorded strong, gusty westerlies upto 85kmph."

He said the winds could impact the landing of smaller planes.

State Highway 2 is also partially closed after a truck was blown over by strong winds near Takapau.

Police said they received reports of a truck that had blown over on SH2 near Takapau at around 8.20am on Friday.

Contractors have been called out to assist with the truck and no injuries have been reported.

Central North Island NZ Transport Agency said due to a truck roll, the road is down to one lane near Otawhao Rd.

St Johns Ambulance said one ambulance responded to the incident but was not required.

Meanwhile a trampoline stopped traffic after gusts blew it onto the road in suburban Napier's Latham Street this morning.

MetService Meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree said strong winds have been picking up in the last few hours, with Napier Airport recording highs of 60km per hour.

"There is also a warning out for wind for southern Hawke's Bay for westerly gales which could reach 120 to 130km per hour in regions south of Napier," she said. "People in those regions it will be particular windy."

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has advised that Hawke's Bay areas south of Hastings are expected to be hit by severe gales in exposed places until 9.00pm tonight.