Wild winds may tear out power
Aucklanders are being warned to brace themselves for power cuts as strong winds, gale surges and localised tornadoes could hit the region within the next 24 hours.
Vector is getting teams prepared to respond to possible outages by charging up devices and phones and ensuring they have a working torch with spare batteries.
Residents are also advised to tie down any outdoor furniture, including BBQs that could be blown around by the strong winds.
Vector head of network field services Marko Simunac said response teams were on standby but in some cases Vector might need to remotely shut down power to that area as a public safety precaution until crews arrived on site.
“We know it’s the school holidays with lots of families at home and reliant on power for warmth and entertainment such as laptops. If the weather causes damage to power lines, we’ll aim to restore power as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of our crews and the public.”
Simunac said there were some cases in which it wasn’t safe for crews to begin working to remedy outages, such as powerful winds.
Behind the wind warning is a chilly polar blast surging up the country and bringing snow and rain and generating big seas. MetService warned New Zealand was in for a stormy few days, with snow expected at relatively low levels today and tomorrow. Snow is expected across the lower South Island while in the North Island, fresh falls will coat the central North Island high country and the hills of Hawke’s Bay.
Those in the south are in store for some bitterly cold temperatures.
Snow is expected to fall in the central parts of the country for the second time in seven days.
The good news is that apart from pesky showers remaining in Southland and Wairarapa, most of the wild weather clears up tomorrow, ushering in a fine, but crisp end to the week.
If the weather causes damage to power lines, we’ll aim to restore power as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of our crews and the public.
Marko Simunac, Vector