High winds downs power lines

Traffic was disrupted on State Highway 2 near Carterton yesterday afternoon when wild weather blew power lines to the ground.

Police cordoned the area off and diverted south-bound drivers east down Cornwall Rd.

MetService had issued a severe weather watch for Wairarapa, warning of strong northwesterlies rising to severe gale strength in exposed parts.

Severe gales and heavy rain have spread around the country, including Wellington, where lightning blew up a sculpture known as "The Needle".