12 May 2011

Otago battered by severe winds

10:05 pm on 12 May 2011

The Fire Service says it deployed every single fire engine in Dunedin during a wind storm in the Otago region on Thursday.

Gusts peaked at over 140km/h, tearing down trees, lifting roofs and causing road blocks.

The MetService says the South Island region was hit by a particularly nasty north-west flow which has died down by the afternoon.

The Fire Service assistant area commander for East Otago, Trevor Tilyard, says the winds were so strong they lifted roofs on some commercial buildings as well as houses.

The Dunedin City Council says falling powerlines caused power outages and some coastal towns are isolated after heavy seas washed over roads.

A number of roads are still closed in Dunedin, including parts of Upper Junction Road and Portobello Road due to fallen trees.

However, Shore Street, which was closed between Musselburgh Rise and Portsmouth Drive East during the day, has reopened.