Cyclone Gita: Taranaki pounded by gale-force winds that uprooted trees

Taranaki copped a fearsome pounding overnight - battered by gale-force winds gusting above 130km/h that knocked out power for more than 20,000 homes.

Residents are waking this morning to survey the damage wrought by the fearsome winds and thousands are still having having to make do without electricity.

Major power outages were reported in the Taranaki and Manawatu-Whanganui regions. They include major issues in New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Palmerston North and Waitara.

Posted by Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management on Tuesday, 20 February 2018

A state of emergency was declared in Taranaki at 7.50pm, one hour after power had been cut to nearly 23,000 homes, Civil Defence said.

Power now completely out in New Plymouth. Thank god for mobile data. #CycloneGita

— Ethan Griffiths (@ethangriffy) February 20, 2018

A pipeline from the New Plymouth water treatment station to the Mangorei Reservoir was also ruptured by a falling tree.

State of Emergency Declared in Taranaki. More info on what this means on our website: https://t.co/Yn2NGe7O7j #CycloneGita

— Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management (@TaranakiCD) February 20, 2018

Residents in New Plymouth, Bell Block, Waitara, Tikorangi, Onaero and Urenui were urged to minimise water use.

Fallen trees also caused traffic problems in other parts of the region.

Gusts of up to 140km/h in South Taranaki and 120km/h in North Taranaki were expected to continue until early this morning, when winds should gradually ease.

Wind gusting extremely heavily in New Plymouth. Outdoor furniture flying around, rain hitting the windows like stones. #CycloneGita

— Ethan Griffiths (@ethangriffy) February 20, 2018