Christchurch battens down for more gales, downpours

Published: 8:29AM Tuesday March 04, 2014 Source: ONE News

After a day of being battered by southerly gales and heavy rain, coastal areas around and north of Christchurch are battening down the hatches for more of the same. People in 2,500 homes face a night without power while others in some low-lying areasare being warned about possible overnight flooding.

As the storm moves up the country,rocks and debris are washing upon coastal roads in Wellington and police arewarning drivers to take care.

Heavy rain and gusts of up to 120kphwere forecast for the capital this evening, MetService forecaster Tuporo Marsters said.

The storm swept in to Christchurchjust after daybreak, 120 kilometre-an-hour gales with gusts up to 160kph battering boats in Lyttelton.

But as the day developed it was toppled trees keeping emergency services busy.

"We've still got a bit of leafy growth on the trees which is causing the wind to have an affect on them, and the soft ground as well causing them to be uprooted," says John Herriott, Christchurch City Fire Station Officer.

Bruce McDonald and his daughter were two of the lucky ones in the storm, unharmed after a tree brought live powerlines onto their car.

Mr McDonald says they had just come out of a camp ground, noticed the tree and heard the big crack.

"And she come off, hit the powerlines and ended up on top of the car. Burnt a hole on the roof of the car and on top of the bonnet. Yeah, a bit scary," he says.

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Christchurch battens down for more gales, downpours