Sparks emergency

as extreme weather and swells closed roads and cancelled ferries.

The Hutt City Council (HCC) advised Eastern Bays residents to stay at home where possible, and to avoid unnecessary travel until the weather clears.

Marine Drive on the east coast remained closed as strong winds and heavy swells hampered the clean-up operation.

A wave of up to 10m was recorded earlier yesterday, at the Wellington harbour entrance, and regular 6m waves were coming through, Metservice meteorologist Luis Fernandes said.

It was predicted they could still get bigger, he said.

A heavy swell warning was in place yesterday afternoon.

Most flights in and out of the capital were cancelled until further notice.

Mahina Bay resident Christina Ricke Buckley said she saw waves crash over smaller cars, as vehicles attempted to navigate Marine Dr at high tide, about 11am.

‘‘The conditions treacherous,’’ she said.

At one point, a bus stopped and the driver got out and cleared debris from the road, before continuing on.

Some Eastern Bays residents she had spoken to said it was the worst weather they had experienced in 20 years.

Earlier, a Cook Strait Bluebridge ferry circled the harbour for several hours, unable to berth due to powerful winds.

Bluebridge ferry spokesperson were

Wendy Pannett said its sailings yesterday afternoon had already been cancelled.

The morning ferry was unable to leave the harbour as weather conditions deteriorated quickly and came in earlier than expected.

Meanwhile, at least 38 flights in and out of Wellington Airport had been cancelled due to the weather conditions.

Airport spokesperson Phil Rennie said high winds were making it unsafe for baggage handlers to operate.