New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, experienced its strongest winds in over a decade on Thursday. Schools closed and flights were cancelled. A state of emergency was declared in parts of the South Island after 24 hours of heavy rain.
The government forecaster reported average wind speeds reached up to 87 kilometres an hour (54mph) in Wellington, the strongest since 2013. Gusts south of the capital in coastal Baring Head touched 160 kilometres an hour.
Wellington is under the highest possible red wind warning. A state of emergency has been called in parts of the South Island, including Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city.
According to Dan Neely, a spokesperson for the Wellington region’s emergency management department, “This is certainly bigger than your average bad Wellington day.” He added, “Few roads are closed in different parts of the region. We’ve got some waves overtopping coastal roads and dumping some debris.”
The department advised people to stay indoors where possible and to secure outdoor furniture and trampolines. Residents in one coastal suburb have been asked to find alternative accommodation overnight due to fears of flooding.
The afternoon saw flights cancelled at Wellington International Airport. Ferry service between the North and South Islands was suspended.
A number of local schools and Victoria University of Wellington shut down for the day. Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, declared a state of emergency. Floods, landslides, and falling trees impacted the city.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger stated, “We expected the weather would ease, which hasn’t happened so declaring will mean we are prepared for anything that may happen overnight.”
The Selwyn District issued an emergency warning earlier on Thursday due to flooding and rising river levels. District Mayor Sam Broughton posted on Facebook that significant flooding risks had developed across Selwyn, particularly in low-lying areas. People in most at-risk areas were being asked to evacuate.
MetService, a second government forecaster, said the high winds in Wellington are set to last until the early hours of Friday. Heavy rain is hitting the South Island.
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