New Zealand / Weather

Storm Fehi aftermath: What you need to know

08:02 am on 2 February 2018

Many New Zealanders are waking up without power after ex-cyclone Fehi ravaged many parts of the country overnight.

Road washed out just north of Punakaiki rocks. 500m stretch of road and footpath was damaged by king tides during the storm. Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King

At least 2000 homes in Fox Glacier and Iangahua areas are affected while at least 3500 properties in Hokitika, Hari Hari and Whataroa are being supported by local power generators.

In the Tasman area, all of Glenduan is without power, as well as Point Road in Monaco and Ranier and Martin Streets in Stoke.

If you have images of flood damage, please email: iwitness@radionz.co.nz]

Over 500 without power in Christchurch mostly around the Port Hills including Charteris Bay, Governors Bay and Lyttleton.

And in the Coromandel about 300 homes are without power in Port Jackson and Little Bay.

Here's what you need to know this morning:

AUCKLAND

  • A severe weather watch remains in place for Auckland.

BAY OF PLENTY

  • A heavy rain warning is in place for Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.

TARANAKI

  • Power has been restored to the region, apart from about 40 homes in Patea.
  • Residents in parts of Taranaki were asked to to evacuate ahead of an expected high tide at midnight last night.
  • GISBORNE

    • A heavy rain warning is in place, and is expected to mainly affect the ranges.

    WELLINGTON

    • Wellington Airport had major flight disruptions yesterday, and several flights this morning have been cancelled.
    • Slips on SH1 at Ngauranga Gorge have been cleared.

    TASMAN DISTRICT

    • Wild weather eased overnight after the region took a battering but heavy rains are still expected in Nelson, west of Motueka.
    • At least 100 properties remain without power and it's unclear when it will be restored.
    • Nelson Airport has reopened and some flights will resume this morning.

    WEST COAST

    • Heavy falls will continue in Buller.
    • A state of emergency is still in place for Buller.
    • About 80 homes are without power, and have no access to the internet.
    • Schools and major highways are closed.
    • More than 100 people who were evacuated from low-lying parts of Westport, spent the night in evacuation centres.
    • Several homes have been affected by untreated sewage after torrential flooding.
    • Tasman Civil Defence said the high tide came and went without incident

    WESTLAND

    • Rainfall this morning is expected to clear by about midday but residents and tourists are being warned to steer clear of the coastal areas.
    • At least 115 people are still stranded on the road between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef as a result of downed power lines, trees and slips. Efforts to reach them are a priority this morning.
    • Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, Whataroa and Haast are isolated due to fallen trees, downed power lines and slips.
    • A Welfare Centre has been set up in Hokitika at the Hokitika Boys Brigade.
    • The Haast River has reached exceptionally high levels, but is expected to recede.
    • Water supply in the region could be compromised due to loss of power. All public water supplies in Westland are on conserve notices.
    • Wastewater systems are holing up, but residents are urged to avoid excessive flushing.
    • Power is out to 2000 homes in the Fox Glacier and Iangahua areas.
    • About 3500 properties in Hokitika, Harihari and Whataroa are cut off from the mains supply but are being supported by local power generators.

    CANTERBURY

    • About 380 homes remained without power overnight.
    • Heavy winds fanned fires across Christchurch, with at least 50 homes evacauted last night due to a fire in West Melton.

    OTAGO/SOUTHLAND

    • A Civil Defence Emergency is still in place in Dunedin.
    • A number of roads remain closed due to flooding, and some due to concerns about wastewater overflows.
    • Queenstown Airport has opened, but several flights have been cancelled this morning. Including NZ610 to Auckland which was due to depart at 7am.