Wellington hit by huge storms: 10,000 homes suffer power cuts
SEVERE wind, rain and snow caused flight disruptions, road closures and power outages across New Zealand today, when the South Pacific island nation was hit by a storm carrying gales of up to 100 mph.
10,000 homes suffered power cuts in Wellington, New Zealand after a storm hit the area
The southerly gales rattled the capital, Wellington, as the storm moved north towards Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.
More than 10,000 properties on the North Island were hit by power cuts, several highways were shut and ferries that travel across the Cook Strait between the North and South islands were suspended because of towering waves, domestic media reported.
“Damaging southerly winds continue until tonight ... before gradually easing tomorrow morning,” meteorologist Tom Adams said on the New Zealand meteorological service's website.
“Wellington has already seen gusts of 100 (mph) ... earlier today, and Cook Strait recorded mean wind speeds of 80mph and 36 feet waves this morning,” he said.
100 mph wind, rain and snow caused flight disruptions, road closures and power outages
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Severe weather warnings were issued earlier today, and media reported that motorists stuck on one North Island highway had to be rescued.
Travel across the Cook Strait between North and South islands were suspended due to towering waves
New Zealand has suffered severe weather in recent months, with a cyclone in April causing one fatality and forcing authorities to evacuate seaside areas and close schools.