Power cuts in Southland, Otago could run into Monday

Extended power blackouts are affecting thousands of people in parts of the lower South Island after strong winds, and for some, the outages could continue for the next two days into Monday.

On Saturday, electricity network company PowerNet said three of its networks were badly disrupted by stormy weather overnight, and it warned affected customers to prepare for extended blackouts to last for days.

They were OtagoNet, Electricity Invercargill and The Power Company, which services Southland.

PowerNet said teams were working to restore power, but faced challenging conditions, and the safety of their crews came first.

The teams at work on Saturday had stopped as darkness fell, but were planning to start again at first light Sunday.

Some customers could remain without power into Monday and people who were medically dependent on electricity should plan accordingly, they said.

By 8:45pm Saturday, 1600 properties were still without power, reduced from about 8000 customers earlier in the weekend.

Strong winds from Friday into Saturday had kept firefighters busy in the lower South Island, including calls for help with roofs lifting off houses and fallen trees.

MetService forecasters issued strong wind warnings, including for gusts up to 130km/h in places, although the orange warning was due to expire at 3pm on Saturday.

In the North Island, an orange strong wind warning for Hawke’s Bay, from Napier south and down to the Tararua District, was expected to be in place until 10pm Sunday, and an orange wind warning for the Chatham Islands was expected to last until 3pm Sunday. Those areas could see winds up to 130km/h, with thunderstorms possible in the Chathams.

A heavy swell warning was in place for parts of Wairarapa, from 1am Sunday until late Monday.

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