Severe Weather Disrupts New Zealand, Thousands Without Power as New year’s Eve Approaches
New Zealand is grappling with widespread disruption as severe weather continues too batter the country, leaving thousands without power adn forcing the cancellation of New Year’s Eve events. From fallen trees and damaged infrastructure to disrupted travel plans,the nation is bracing for further challenges as the New year approaches.
Emergency services have been stretched thin responding to calls across both the North and South Islands.Campers narrowly avoided injury at Totaranui Abel Tasman National Park when a tree fell on their tents,prompting a swift relocation to a caravan.
Widespread Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
The impact of the storm has been most acutely felt through widespread power outages. As of today, approximately 10,000 properties in the Tasman district are without electricity after trees fell onto powerlines, though Network Tasman anticipates restoring the majority of service by 4:30 PM local time. Further north, Powerco reports roughly 1,000 properties remain affected on the Coromandel Peninsula, near Palmerston North, and in Taranaki. Approximately 700 customers in the Paraparaumu area are also experiencing outages. The disruption extends to interaction networks, with One NZ reporting over 50 cell sites offline due to the power failures.
Notable damage has been reported in Horowhenua, where some areas between Shannon and Tokomaru may remain without power overnight. The Kāpiti district, specifically the Ōtaki Gorge Road area, faces a similar prospect.Transportation has also been impacted, with State Highway 57 closed between tane Road and the Foxton-Shannon Road due to fallen trees. State Highway 7 over the Rahu Saddle, between Reefton and Springs Junction, and State Highway 6 through the Whangamoa Hills between Nelson and Blenheim are also affected by downed trees.
Weather Warnings and Forecasts
While the heaviest rainfall has shifted off the east coast of the North Island, with only scattered showers remaining in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, the threat of severe weather persists. Rain is now moving southward, and several Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings remain in effect for the coming days. Gusty southeasterlies are continuing, especially across the South Island, where an Orange Wind Warning is currently in place. Strong wind warnings are also active for Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, and the West Coast north of Fox Glacier, with Wellington under a wind watch until 9 PM tonight.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, while winds are not expected to be as intense as in recent days, they will still be noticeable.Thunderstorms are possible throughout the day, bringing localized intense rain and strong gusts to Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Kapiti, Wairarapa, northern Wellington, and the west Coast Region.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations Affected
The adverse weather has already forced the cancellation of all five community New Year’s Eve events in Tauranga City. City officials cited forecasts of heavy rain and strong winds during event setup, with conditions expected to continue into Wednesday. However, fireworks displays are still planned to proceed from various locations around the city.
Campgrounds and Travel Concerns
Campground managers across the North Island are hoping for improved weather conditions leading up to New Year’s Eve. Despite the disruption,many campers remain resilient. “We have had a couple of campers that their tents were destroyed so they had to go home, other than that people are hunkering down,” said a manager at Kūaotunu campground on the Coromandel Peninsula. Another campground owner noted that many regular Kiwi campers are undeterred by the rain,viewing it as simply part of the experience.
Festivalgoers attending events like Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne have been warned to exercise caution on the roads. Fire and Emergency crews responded to approximately 140 weather-related incidents across the North Island, including a report of a roof being torn off an unoccupied home in auckland’s Hillsborough suburb.
Authorities are urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.Individuals whose holidays have been disrupted are encouraged to share their experiences and photos with RNZ at [email protected].
