170 lightning strikes hit region

Thunderstorms cut power and shook up Marlborough residents, but did not slow the Tasman Mako or their hardy fans.

Pelorus resident of 29 years Ruthie O’sullivan said the thunder and lightening on Saturday was the worst she had experienced.

She said there had been a bit of thunder before a massive clap as she sat down for lunch around 1.30pm. ‘‘The whole house shook, it felt like an earthquake,’’ O’sullivan said.

The power was cut to her home and to others in the area. Her power was restored around 10pm.

O’sullivan was grateful for her wood stove as she was still able to cook dinner and stayed warm.

NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll said about 170 strikes of lightning hit the region, mostly in Picton and the Marlborough Sounds.

Marlborough Lines electrical engineer Nick Patrick said lightning caused powerline fuses to blow. There were 37 separate power outages in the region from Saturday afternoon, affecting 711 customers.

Patrick said as far as Marlborough Lines was aware, by Monday power had been restored to all households.

Plant and Food Research scientist Rob Agnew said Blenheim recorded 14.4 millimetres of rain on Saturday and 13.2mm on Sunday.

The rain did not deter the crowd on Saturday as the Tasman Mako thumped the Wellington Lions 45-8 in miserable conditions at Landsdowne Park.

Spectators huddled under the stands as thunder and lightning struck early in the match.

Blenheim’s Malcolm O’byrne said 10 minutes into the first half of the season opener a fork of lightening broke to the west of the stadium, followed by thunder.

‘‘The players were safe enough and out of harm’s way, but it did make for an enjoyable side show.’’