Insurers are on standby as authorities declared a state of emergency and issued evacuation warnings in Canterbury, with one of New Zealand’s most severe spring storms battering large parts of the country on Thursday. The system left nearly 90,000 homes without power, damaged properties and infrastructure, and disrupted hundreds of flights.
The government declared a state of emergency in Canterbury late Wednesday, warning that conditions were “life-threatening” in exposed areas. The National Emergency Management Agency activated its national coordination centre as MetService issued rare red warnings – the country’s highest alert level – for much of the South Island and lower North Island.
The Waimakariri District Council asked residents of Featherston Ave in Kairaki to self-evacuate before dark Thursday afternoon, stating there was “a high risk the Kairaki stopbank may be topped around 11pm tonight” after the Waimakariri River rose rapidly. Residents of The Pines were asked to prepare go-bags and be ready to evacuate if needed.
Wind gusts reached up to 155km/h, with Canterbury bearing the brunt. MetService reported gusts of 150km/h lashing the Canterbury High Country and around Christchurch. In exposed parts of Wellington and Wairarapa, gusts reached 140km/h.
Power company Orion NZ said nearly 90,000 homes had lost electricity. More than 1,000 properties remained without power Thursday evening. MainPower said 4,000 customers in North Canterbury would remain without power overnight.
Photos and videos showed roofs ripped from houses, power poles toppled, and roads blocked by fallen trees. At Knox Church in Dunedin, about 100 pieces of slate came off the roof. Dunedin resident Paul Crack told 1News the slate had “150 years of coping with the weather, until today.”
All flights in and out of Wellington were cancelled until at least mid-afternoon. Nearly 150 domestic Air New Zealand flights were cancelled. Chief operating officer Alex Marren told Stuff: “We know travel disruptions are frustrating, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding as we manage the impact of the weather.”
Fire and Emergency NZ responded to dozens of incidents, including vegetation fires in Kaikōura, Hanmer Springs and Hawke’s Bay. Five homes were destroyed by fire in Kaikōura on Tuesday.
In Greymouth, the water treatment plant’s electrical system was damaged. Mayor Tania Gibson told 1News she suspected the station was struck by lightning. A water tanker was made available at the Civic Centre car park from 5.30pm.
A man was killed earlier in the week in Wellington when a tree branch fell on him, local police told The Independent.
How can communities prepare for increasingly severe weather events across New Zealand? Share your insights in the comments below.
