windstorm hits new zealand

[tropicana]

Calm after storm for Otago, Canterbury and Wellington

08 Nov 2003

Strong winds that knocked out power, delayed flights and stranded a tramper yesterday died out overnight, the MetService says.

Severe, but not record-breaking, winds hit Canterbury, Otago and Wellington last night, a MetService spokesman said.

Wind gusts of more than 100km/h cut electricity briefly to about 10,000 homes and businesses in Canterbury when trees were blown onto power lines.

A wind gust of 122km/h was recorded at Dunedin International Airport yesterday morning and gusts around 100km/h were felt in Christchurch while the strongest gust in Wellington was 115km/h at 5pm.

The wind caused flight delays and forced an Air New Zealand plane, carrying 48 passengers, to return to Christchurch. However the worst of the wind in the city had died away by 7pm.

In Otago roofs went flying and power was also affected but the worst was over by 1am, the MetService said.

The winds earlier caused problems for firefighters, fanning flames that broke out in bush in the Dunedin suburb of Waverley.

The fire, believed to be started by children playing with matches in a hut, burnt about 0.5ha of pine trees and bush and came within 15m of three houses.

Heavy rain fell in many areas and caused the Shotover Jet to suspend operations for the day on the Shotover River due to flooding.

Meanwhile, a tramper stranded in the Tararua ranges since yesterday afternoon because of the wind was able to be rescued this morning.

- NZPA

[TexasStooge]

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