New Zealand Braces for Second Wave of Deadly Storms

After devastating gale-force winds struck on Tuesday, bringing down power lines and trees, overturning vehicles, blowing pedestrians into the path of oncoming traffic, and killing one person hit by a falling branch, New Zealand is facing another day of potentially deadly storms.

Fallen trees and flooding closed roads across the country, while many flights and ferries were cancelled or delayed.

High-sided vehicles such as campervans and trucks were blown over, thousands of homes and businesses were without power, and there was widespread damage to fences, buildings and other structures.

Most schools were closed, and Fire and Emergency Services (FENZ) advised people to stay at home if they could.

Late in the day, multiple large blazes broke out in Kaikōura, in the Upper South Island, and Hawke’s Bay, in the east of the North Island, fanned by strong winds. Five houses in Kaikōura have been destroyed, along with nine other structures.

Winds are expected to exceed 100km/h in many places today, with high temperatures and low humidity, making the job of firefighters particularly difficult.

More Rain, Wind Damage on the Way

The country now has one day to prepare before another front crosses the country, which MetService has warned constitutes a “threat to life.”

Some areas will receive up to 100 mm of rain and gusts of 140 km/h, similar to Tuesday’s storm.

Impacts are likely to be “substantial,” including further wind damage and power outages, according to a social media post from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office has advised people to work from home tomorrow, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from windows and doors.

The “mega strike” planned for Thursday, when teachers, nurses, junior doctors and other medical staff will walk off the job, has had to cancel some rallies in Wellington, Wairarapa and Canterbury, which are the areas expected to once again be worst hit. However, a planned protest march in Auckland will still go ahead.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said tomorrow’s winds will be even stronger than those experienced earlier this week.

“Thursday’s winds are expected to be more widespread and could affect places that don’t often see strong winds,” she said, with speeds of 150 km/h  possible for exposed parts of Canterbury High Country, 140 km/h for Wellington and Wairarapa, and 130 km/h for the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch.

“These destructive winds can cause threat to life from flying items and falling trees, widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.”

Makgabutlane said further impacts such as slips, surface flooding, difficult driving conditions, and travel disruptions are likely in places already hit this week, and this time the rain will also be stronger.