Stro Cyclone Lusi plays havoc in the far north. Photo / Bill Rooney Cyclone Lusi plays havoc in the far north. Photo / Bill Rooney Residents at the top of the North Island are starting to feel ex tropical Cyclone Lusi sting with gales hurling a shed through powerlines, slips, treacherous driving conditions and thousands without power. Strong easterly winds gusting to 120km/h blew a shed through power lines at Whangarei Heads overnight, cutting power to 2000 homes a Northpower spokesman said. You can track Cyclone Lusi in real time here. Residents affected were in towns along the east coast. As the storm tracked south today conditions across Auckland were deteriorating. Nearly 500 customers were without power around the area, down from more than 2000 earlier in the day. There are now reports of a power-cut in Ellerslie. You can view a map of outages here. Gallery Electricity company Vector said some customers in Wellsford, Hobsonville, Kaipara and Waiheke Island were still without power. The outages had mainly been caused by downed trees and crews were working to clear the lines, the company said. Well keep you across Lusi as it hits - but we need your help. Send your Lusi-related stories, photos or video here. Stormwater blockages from debris and persistent rainfall were causing isolated surface flooding around the region, Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management duty officer Jamie Richards said. But there were no significant flooding issues this morning. Video A rockfall also blocked part of the Hibiscus Coast Highway at Waiwera this morning. Rainfall forecasts indicated that accumulations might be higher than previously modelled, Mr Richards said. Rain north of Orewa could see an additional 50mm - 70mm today with lesser amounts for the rest of the region and waves were expected to surge at high tide this evening. Winds were still expected to increase in strength and peak this afternoon and coastal erosion was still expected on northeastern beaches later today. WeatherWatch.co.nz analyst Philip Duncan said the storm still retained category 1 strength winds with sustained gales near the centre and gusts over 100km/h. The terrain of New Zealand was helping boost those wind speeds further in some exposed parts of Northland. In Auckland winds were gale force in some places while other suburbs are fairly calm, he said. The former tropical storm is about 200kms north of Cape Reinga and will slowly drift past the Far North later this afternoon, Mr Duncan said. Winds were expected to continue to increase across today across the North Island. Overnight a number of trees came down on State Highway 14 between Whangarei and Dargaville, which have now been cleared, police said. But debris is covering a number of roads and police were urging drivers in the north, to drive with care and to the conditions. Video The fire service was also called to a felled tree on the Hibiscus Coast, about 5.30am, northern fire communications shift manager Nicole Bernard said. Severe weather warnings have been issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Nelson and Marlborough. Northland could expect 80mm-100mm of rain by this afternoon, MetService said. The rain should spread quickly southwards, totalling more than 100mm in Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne by Sunday morning. Housing New Zealand also said it would make extra staff available over the weekend, with maintenance contractors ready to deal with any urgent repairs. However, residents in at-risk coastal areas have been told its a case of neighbour helping neighbour to ensure safety. A number of Aucklands eastern and north-east beaches have been warned of potential erosion and damage to beachfront properties from high sea swells, particularly around high tide. Boaties have been advised to secure their boats ahead of the encroaching storm, and avoid going out to sea over the weekend. The brunt of Cyclone Lusis force was expected to strike the North Island throughout today, before gradually weakening as it moves into the South Island tomorrow. The storm should be clear of New Zealand by Monday, with only a few showers and brisk winds remaining in the south and east. Canterbury was bracing itself for more flooding, with the Christchurch City Council saying it was preparing for the worst case scenario following recent damaging floods in the area. About 22,000 sandbags will be filled and ready for collection in various locations across the city by noon today, with all emergency response teams on stand-by. Meanwhile, farmers are welcoming the expected onslaught of rain for their parched land, particularly the west coast of the North Island, Waikato, Auckland and Hauraki Coromandel. I know therell be a fair number of farmers in Waikato and Northland wholl dance a jig at the first drops of rain, said Katie Milne, Federated Farmers adverse events spokeswoman. Some on the North Islands west coast havent seen decent rain since last November. However, she warned farmers to be prepared for the storm conditions in advance ***************** Events affected: * Wairarapa Balloon Fiesta - The Night Glow to continue tonight - Balloon flights tomorrow morning possibly cancelled depending on the weather * Polyfest - Has been postponed until Tuesday * Kite Day, Harbourview-Orangihina Park, Te Atatu Peninsula - Has been postponed until 23 March (10.30am-1.30pm). * Te Houtaewa challenge, 90 Mile Beach - Cancelled, but participants could still compete in the marathon or half marathon events - The Fun Run - Walk for Life has been postponed * Cruise the Bays, Mission Bay, Auckland - Postponed until Friday, March 21. * Bayswater Auto Show and Family Fun Day, Bayswater School, Sunday - If rain continues through the night, the event will be postponed until next Sunday * Rotorua Walking Festival, Saturday and Sunday - Walking days have been switched: the Town Walks today and the Whakarewarewa Forest Walks tomorrow. * Peoples Triathlon Series, Maraetai Beach, Auckland - Postponed until March 30 * Outward Bound 3km Fun Run in Whangarei - Cancelled. * Celtic Day at Silo Park in Auckland - Cancelled * Salty Classic fishing competition in the Coromandel Peninsula - Cancelled Before a storm: * Develop a household emergency plan. Assemble and maintain your emergency survival items, as well as a portable getaway kit. * Prepare your property by securing large heavy objects and any item which could become a deadly or damaging missile. * Keep materials at hand for repairing windows, such as tarpaulins, boards and duct tape. When a warning is issued and during a storm: * Stay informed on weather updates. Listen to your local radio stations for advice for your community and situation. * Put your household emergency plan into action and check your getaway kit. * Secure, or move indoors, all items that could get blown about in strong winds. * Close windows, external and internal doors. Pull curtains and drapes over unprotected glass areas. * If the wind becomes destructive, stay away from doors and windows and shelter inside the house. * Water supplies can be affected so store drinking water in containers and fill bathtubs and sinks. * Power cuts are possible in severe weather. Unplug small appliances which may be affected by electrical power surges, and if power is lost, unplug major appliances. * Bring pets inside. Move stock to shelter. If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you. After a storm: * Listen to your local radio stations for the most appropriate advice for your community and situation. * Check for injuries and help others if you can, especially people who require special assistance. * Look for and report broken utility lines. * Contact your local council if your house has been severely damaged. * If your property or contents are damaged take notes and photographs and contact your insurance company. Detailed advice is at getthru.govt.nz. ************** Storm advice: * Stay clear of fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment and treat them as live at all times * Ensure garden furniture and umbrellas are put away or tied down * Ensure trampolines are tied down * Watch out for falling tree branches which can damage power lines * Avoid possible damage to electrical appliances (in the unlikely event there is a power surge when the power is restored) by switching off appliances at the wall * Keep a torch and spare batteries handy and ensure you have at least one telephone that does not rely on electricity for operation Ensure an alternate fuel supply is available for cooking (eg gas for barbecue) Source: Vector *************** - APNZ Read more by Rebecca Quilliam Save Like on Facebook 278 Tweet on Twitter 18 Post on LinkedIn 0 +1 on Google+ 1 Email Print View more Ex tropical cyclone Lusi hits Coopers Beach. 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Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 01:25:58 +0000
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