Wet and wild in Taranaki
Fierce winds lashed Taranaki as an active front moved up the country, bringing wind and rain to the lower North Island.
A car was hit by a falling tree in South Taranaki, a piece of roofing blew on to power lines, and gusts of 100 kilometres an hour were forecast.
Between 4pm and 5pm yesterday gusts of 93.5kmh were recorded at Taungatara near Opunake, 89kmh just north of Pa¯ tea, 86.4kmh in Stratford and 82.3kmh in Urutı¯.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand were called to Mountain Rd in Eltham at 12.22pm after a falling tree hit a passing car, a police spokesperson said. All occupants were out of the vehicle.
A fallen tree was reported on Wiremu Rd in Ra¯ hotu, blocking one lane of traffic.
A piece of roofing iron blew on to power lines near Namu Rd in Opunake and Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to reports of the roof lifting off the old dairy factory at Okato.
The roof was left as it was deemed unsafe to climb on to.
Power lines were also down on the side of South Rd in Manutahi, and Powerco had been alerted.
Fire crews were also called to attempt to secure a hanging glass canopy on Powderham St in New Plymouth.
Meanwhile, the Opunake Fire Station was flooded, a fire and emergency spokesman confirmed.
On Facebook, Greg and Rocky Steer said the wind was ‘‘out of control’’ in Ha¯ wera.
‘‘I’ve just been to the dump and had to hold onto my vehicle so I didn’t get blown over. It’s crazy.’’
Metservice meteorologist April Clark said when the front hit the Wellington region heavy rain was likely to follow.
In Taranaki they were predicting similar conditions.
A heavy rain watch will be in place until 3pm today.