About 250 properties are without power in Taranaki after stormy weather and lightning strikes early this morning.
A lightning strike in Taranaki (file photo) Photo: Twitter/@finer_kjf
MetService has a severe thunderstorm watch in place for the region with the potential for 25mm/h.
PowerCo said 250 homes were without power in Stratford.
One resident said he saw a lightning bolt hit the powerlines outside his house in Westown which caused them to glow red.
MeService said a slow moving low over the Tasman Sea was directing a moist northerly flow over the North Island, bringing rain to northeastern areas.
It said the heaviest rain was expected about eastern Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne and Gisborne north of Ruatoria, and a warning remained in force.
