Nearly 9000 properties across the Western Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa, Tararua and Manawatu lost power as winds of up to 150km/h swept across the North Island.
Powerco network operations manager Phil Marsh said the company was mindful of school holidays and warned parents living in storm-affected areas of the dangers of fallen power lines. "People need to keep themselves and their children well clear of any damaged network equipment and call emergency services immediately if they see a downed power line.
"All lines should be treated as live at all times," Mr Marsh said.
Meanwhile, the weather kept firefighters busy across the region. They were called on to secure a 2-metre high barrier at a building site in Masterton just after 2.30am yesterday, and needed to clear large tree branches across the road in Eketahuna about 8.50am and in Carterton just after 12pm. Masterton firefighters also extricated a person from a car after a road crash on Te Whiti Rd about 6.50am.
Featherston fire crews secured roofs that were lifting in high winds in the town, from shortly before lunchtime at Johnston St and at Fitzherbert St just after 1pm. Firefighters in the town also secured a shed the wind was lifting at a Fitzherbert St property just before 2pm.
