A fence ripped off its posts by gale force winds in Sunnyvale. Photo / Supplied
A fence ripped off its posts by gale force winds in Sunnyvale. Photo / Supplied
Trees have blown over, power lines have been brought down plunging thousands of properties into darkness and powerful winds have damaged homes as wild weather buffets the upper North Island.
Hundreds in north and west Auckland remain without power this morning as strong winds wreak havoc in the area. Severe weather warnings have also been issued for much of the North Island.
Overnight almost 2000 Auckland homes were plunged into darkness as wind gusts reached hurricane force in some areas of the city of sails, downing power lines and toppling trees.
Linesmen have been working to restore power to all those affected and contractors have made good progress this morning.
About 450 properties currently remain without power. That's down from 2500 a few hours ago.
In Wellsford, 30 properties are off the grid but are expected to be back on by 12.30pm. In Mahurangi, 70 properties don't have electricity - they're expected to have it restored by 1pm.
Nearly 200 households in Kaukapakapa and 29 in Coatesville should have power back on by the same time.
In Laingholm, 141 properties are offline but should have their power restored shortly. People in Waitoki and Helensville are expected to have their power back on around now.
A yacht is washed up in a bay in Herne Bay Auckland as strong winds swept through the region last night. Photo / Gill Kimrich
WeatherWatch said late last night "hurricane force" winds were recorded above the Manukau Heads, just west of the city's international airport.
Despite some reports of broken signs and scattered debris, a few lifted roofs, and a yacht blown ashore in Herne Bay early yesterday, there have been no further major reports of damage from the emergency services this morning.
An Auckland Coastguard spokesperson understood the vessel owner planned to salvage the stricken yacht.
Other residents would also be facing a bit of a clean-up job this morning, with toppled trees, broken fences and upturned bins littered around the city.
Severe winds caused chaos across Auckland last night. Photo / Mowgli Buckingham
Sunnyvale resident Ross Sinclair said it was a noisy night for him and his wife.
They'd been sitting in the house when there was a big crash and bang into his house - the gate had flown off its hinges.
"It was windy from probably about 8pm to around 1am or 2am," he said. "It was really, really windy, all of the trees and fences were shaking around."
Fortunately, Sinclair said aside from the gate and an upturned recycle bin, there wasn't too much damage to his property.
LISTEN: Auckland resident Ross Sinclair speaks about wild weather
Gales of up to 90km/hr were forecast to stick around for a little bit longer today, but were expected to ease throughout the morning.
A severe weather watch remains in place for much of the North Island. Strong westerly winds are expected across Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne and Wairarapa. The gales will be severe, reaching 130km/h in Hawke's Bay south of Hastings, and the Tararua District. Winds should ease this afternoon.
In the main centres today, MetService said Auckland was expected to be cloudy, with a few showers and a high of 15C.
Tomorrow the rain would clear for a period, before showers returned on Monday.
A fallen gum tree on Hanlon Crescent, Narrow Neck. Photo / Mowgli Buckingham
In Wellington, it was also forecast to be a wet day today, with a high of 13C, which was good news for rugby fans.
MetService expected the showers would clear in time for the All Blacks kick-off time against Australia in Wellington's Westpac Stadium at 7.35pm this evening.
Tomorrow weather in the capital was forecast to clear, though remain relatively cool with a high of 14C.
