Overview

• Strong winds and heavy rain on Monday cut power to more than 900 customers in Otago and Southland, forced at least seven flight cancellations in Dunedin and Invercargill, restricted some ferries, and blocked roads including a rolled trailer near Lake Tekapo.
• MetService kept orange warnings in force across much of the South Island and issued strong wind warnings for Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua through Tuesday, with Hawke’s Bay under a Tuesday wind warning and the Tararua Range under a heavy rain warning to 6pm.
• Forecasters signalled gusts up to 130 km/h in exposed areas from the Canterbury high country to Wellington and Wairarapa, with very heavy falls focused on the Westland ranges and up to 140 mm possible in parts of Grey, Buller and Tasman.
• The transport agency urged drivers to expect sudden gusts, debris and downed lines and warned State Highway 2 over Remutaka Hill may need to close if conditions worsen.
• Emergency managers reported multiple FENZ callouts for lifted roofing and downed trees and advised residents to secure property and prepare for possible blackouts as a potentially more impactful system is forecast to arrive on Thursday.