MetService's weather warnings and watches for 15 October, 2023. Photo: MetService
Almost 4500 homes are still without power in North Canterbury after destructive winds hit the area yesterday, and people are being warned to prepare for days without power.
MainPower's website indicates about 4200 properties in Hurunui and Waimakariri have no power, after damage from yesterday's gales.
A statement on the MainPower website said its network had experienced extensive damage in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
A large number of faults were continuing to be identified, and people currently without power should prepare for extended power outages, particularly those in isolated areas, it said.
People were warned to treat all lines as live, and to contact MainPower if there is an outage which is not noted on their website.
On Sunday evening, residents in Hurunui and Waimakariri were asked to conserve water, while water systems remained affected by power outages.
The Hurunui District had Level Four water restrictions in place, which meant water may only be used for domestic reasons such as drinking and washing.
The Waimakariri District Council said most council water and wastewater systems were running on generators due to the power outages.
Gusts of between 150 and 200 kilometres-per-hour were recorded yesterday in exposed areas, lifting roofs, toppling trees and bringing down power lines, as an active trough moves east across the country on Sunday.
Orion said about 200 properties in areas including Banks Peninsula were without power.
Orion general manager of Electricity Network Steve MacDonald said the highest numbers were in the Banks Peninsula and today they were sending out a helicopter to survey lines in the area.
MacDonald said it was likely some people would still have no power by the end of the day.
People in Hurunui and Waimakariri have been warned they could be without power for some time.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said council was monitoring the situation and would assist with welfare needs if required.
Strong winds and heavy rain were expected to continue to affect several areas of the South Island and southern North Island on Sunday.
An orange warning for the Canterbury High Country (from 3am Sunday to 7pm), Marlborough (from 8am to 9pm), Tararua District and Wairarapa about and north of Carterton (from 1pm to 10pm), and Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton (from 11am to 8pm) was in place.
An orange heavy rain warning was in place for headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass (from 5am Sunday to 6pm), and Westland south of Otira (from 3am to 6pm).
On Saturday night, more than 7000 MainPower customers were without power, and more than 2000 households with Orion.
A few election polling stations had to shut due to the bad weather.
Power lines down near Halswell in Christchurch after Saturday's heavy winds. Photo: RNZ / Jean Edwards