Warning issued: strong winds, heavy rain and power cuts

Pale blue areas indicate heavy rain tomorrow - unfortunately that's the whole North Island. Graphic / David Shirley, WeatherWatch.co.nz

The top half of the North Island has been warned to prepare for power cuts, gale-force winds and heavy rain this weekend as a deepening low moves south.

Power company Vector said the heavy rain and strong gusty winds could bring power cuts to Wellsford, Warkworth and Whangaparaoa to the north of Auckland, Waiheke and Clevedon, South Auckland.

Vector external communications manager Philippa White said extra field crews have been rostered on over the weekend, and where power was cut by trees or debris falling on powerlines, power would be restored as soon as possible.

She urged people to stay away from fallen power lines and treat them as live all the time.

People who ventured out during a storm should watch for falling trees, which could bring down powerlines.

People should also reduce the risk of damage to electrical appliances by turning them off at the wall if the power went off so they were not damaged when power was restored.

Auckland civil defence warned people in the top half of the North Island it could be a wild and wet weekend.

People should have a torch and batteries handy and have at least one telephone which did not rely on mains power.

They should also have an alternative cooking method such as a gas barbecue.

Those relying on medical equipment which ran on power should be prepared for a power cut. If there was an immediate threat to life they should call their health provider or the 111 emergency service.

Police also warned people to study the weather forecast before travelling.

Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 70kmh were expected in some areas around Auckland and Northland tonight and tomorrow as the low moved over the top of the North Island and headed south.

The MetService said the low would develop into a ``significant weather system' and bring widespread rain and gale force east to northeast winds to the North Island and to the north and east of the South Island.

- NZPA