Wanganui fire service has been kept busy since Saturday with weather-related callouts.
Station Officer Gary Wilson says Saturday, which saw widespread power outages, flooding, trees falling and slips close State Highways 3 and 4 for a period of time, was the worst day, with about 13 callouts.
"Saturday was by far the
worst, it stretched us a little. At one stage we had to call the whole brigade back, about 20 people."
Yesterday morning the day started with a callout at 6am when a tree fell across State Highway 3 at Kaitoke, and a few false alarms to local businesses due to water getting into the systems.
Tiles flew off a roof on Bastia Hill at about midday, and there had been a few recurring water pump-out jobs, but otherwise it was "business as usual".
Mr Wilson says he expected the fire service would have been busier, as it was probably the worst and most continuous bout of bad weather he has seen all year.
But, if they are needed, he says they have the resources available and are ready to help.
Meanwhile, gale force winds downed trees and caused power cuts on Powerco's electricity networks early yesterday morning.
Affected areas included Manawatu, Taranaki, Rangitikei and Western Bay of Plenty.
Powerco network operations manager Phil Marsh says about 2000 customers were without power supply in areas including Makirikiri, Parihauhau, Parikino, River Rd and Upokongaro in the Wanganui region, and Kauwhatau, Mataroa, Moawhango, Ohinewairua, Pukeokahu in the Rangitikei.
The severe winds that came through as forecast brought trees and branches and overhead lines down across the country from around 3am, he says.
There are also still some isolated customers without power spread across the North Island in ones and twos, due to minor faults like blown fuses and damaged low voltage or service lines.
While power had been restored to most homes by the end of yesterday, a further 500 people in Waitotara are still without power.
Powerco urges people to keep well away from any downed lines or other damaged network equipment.
