Winds ease after lashing lower North Island

The high winds that have lashed much of the country overnight are easing.

At one point the MetService recorded a gust of 180 kilometres an hour in Wellington.

Strong winds also buffeted the lower North Island and Linda Thompson from Horizons Regional Council in Palmerston North says her drive into work this morning was littered with hazards.

She says a few rooves have been taken off, and there are some very large trees blown over.

Forecaster Geoff Sanders says the worst of the current round of bad weather is over.

He says northern Wairarapa and southern Hawke's Bay are still experiencing strong winds, but they will ease over the next few hours.

Unfortunately for the flood-affected lower North Island, though, more rain is predicted for tomorrow.

Police are urging extreme caution on the roads around the lower North Island.

Trees and powerlines are down across a wide area and hundreds of consumers have no electricity after it was cut to about 7500 homes throughout the region at one stage last night.

Police spokeswoman Sergeant Caroline Manna says it has been a particularly gusty night.

She says the Sanson, Palmerston North and Hunterville areas have been badly affected by fallen trees on roads.

The Rimutaka Hill road between Wellington and Wairarapa reopened this morning after being closed for some time overnight because of winds of 140 kilometres an hour.

However, several highways are out, either because of the overnight winds or earlier flooding.

State Highway One at Rangatira Golf Course north of Hunterville remains shut.

The road through the Manawatu Gorge is also closed, and likely to remain that way for several weeks.

State Highway Four between Raetihi and Wanganui is also still closed because of slips, washouts and fallen trees.

State Highway 54 at the Colyton turnoff to Feilding is closed at the Kiwitea Bridge.

The mayor of the Rangitikei says the district faces a big task in rebuilding from the floods.

Bob Buchanan has been visiting the settlement of Scott's Ferry, one of the hardest-hit communities.

He says Rangitikei District faces some particular challenges.

He says it's a very large area with a small ratings base, with only 15,000 residents.

Mr Buchanan says recovering from the disaster will be very difficult for those who pay rates, as they'll have to put their hands in their pockets.

But he hopes the Government will provide some major help.

Meanwhile, there has been a bit of light relief for some Feilding children affected by this week's floods.

A group of 20 has been given a day away at the Palmerston North museum.

Science and Technology leader Bettina Anderson says the idea was to give parents time to clean up after the storms, without having to look after the children.

- Newstalk ZB