Power lines down across Maraekakaho Rd in Bridge Pa. Photo / Ian Cooper
Power lines down across Maraekakaho Rd in Bridge Pa. Photo / Ian Cooper
Hundreds of homes and properties have been impacted by power outages near Hastings during a wild day of weather in Hawke's Bay.
The remnants of Cyclone Dovi lashed the region on Sunday with gale-force winds reaching 130km/h in some areas.
Firefighters and electricity crews were called to Maraekakaho Rd in Bridge Pa - not far from Hastings Golf Club - about 2.30pm on Sunday where trees had collapsed across the road and brought down power lines.
Power company Unison reported over 400 customers lost power in the nearby suburbs of Bridge Pa, Longlands and Raukawa.
The power outages on the Unison website. Photo / Unison
Metservice had earlier issued a wind warning for Hawke's Bay.
The wild weather also brought down trees in Central Hawke's Bay resulting in temporary road closures on Pourerere Rd and Blackhead Rd.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said no one was injured in the incident at Bridge Pa, and crews remained at the scene well into the afternoon to clear the area.
Unison reported over 400 customers lost power in the suburbs of Bridge Pa, Longlands and Raukawa and there were also smaller outages near Havelock North, Sherenden, Waimarama, and Te Onepu.
About 5pm on Sunday, Unison crews were still working to restore power to hundreds of homes and properties.
A tree down in Central Hawke's Bay on Sunday afternoon following high winds. Photo / Facebook
Unison relationship manager Danny Gough said crews were doing their best to get power restored to impacted homes.
He said power outages were not unexpected with such high winds in the region, and he encouraged people particularly in rural areas to have emergency kits and plans in place.
"Our message at the moment is for people to be prepared for these unexpected outages as the weather picks up," he said.
"We would just ask people to have their Get Through Kits prepared."
Alex Jnr and Izabell Niu as well as Kian Paki making the most of the windy weather on Sunday in Napier. Photo / Ian Cooper
Metservice's wind warning had been issued from 1pm to 7pm on Sunday for coastal Hawke's Bay including Mahia Peninsula.
"Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures," the Metservice warning read.
"Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles."
Central Hawke's Bay District Council reported it had responded to a couple of incidents involving trees down on Sunday afternoon, including a large tree blocking Pourerere Rd and another blocking Blackhead Rd.
Heavy winds battered Hawke's Bay on Sunday. Photo / Ian Cooper
Other parts of the country were also experiencing high winds and heavy rainfall on Sunday.
Metservice is predicting much calmer conditions for Monday and Tuesday in Hawke's Bay, with a few showers and highs in the early 20s for both days and lighter winds.
