Severe gale-force winds of up to 130 km/h are battering Taranaki, forcing road closures, cutting power and closing council services.
MetService issued an Orange Strong Wind Warning for a 10-hour window on Friday 26 June, warning that damaging south to southeasterly gusts could impact trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures. Forecasters indicated the highest risks are concentrated north of the mountain.
New Plymouth District Council urged residents to secure their properties and bring inside any kerbside bins, confirming that today's scheduled collection has been postponed until 7am tomorrow.
Both the New Plymouth and Waitara transfer stations have been closed for the day. While The Junction Shop remains open, staff are currently not accepting any goods or public drop-offs.
Heavy gusts have already caused damage across New Plymouth. Light poles were blown over at Taranaki Stadium, a separate pole fell on Manadon Street, and wind warped a large roller door at the back of TSB Stadium.
Power outages struck the Hurdon and Fitzroy sewage pump stations earlier this morning. Engineers managed to restore power quickly, and the council confirmed both facilities are operating again without any wastewater overflows.
Motorists face treacherous driving conditions with tree debris littering major routes. Carrington Road is closed near 497, and Egmont Road is blocked at the mountain gates due to fallen trees.
Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution at intersections, as traffic lights are blacked out or experiencing severe faults on Morley, Liardet, Mangorei, Sackville, and South roads.
Council field crews are clearing branches on a priority basis, focusing on keeping major roads open.
In a statement, the council recommended that residents avoid visiting parks and reserves today due to the risk of falling branches.
They advised the public to report fallen trees on district roads using the Antenno app, and to contact Powerco immediately regarding any trees caught in power lines.
