Wild winds keep crews busy in South
| Published date | 21 November 2020 |
| Publication title | Otago Daily Times: Web Edition Articles (New Zealand) |
The New Zealand Transport Agency advised that State Highway 93 (Clinton to Mataura) was closed this afternoon due to a fallen tree taking out powerlines. Contractors and the power company were working to restore supply.
ODT reporter John Cosgrove battled the winds as he navigated his way around the Catlins and West Otago while on assignments today.
"Outside of Tapanui at the West Otago A&P annual show, several tents were hurriedly dismantled when the winds started picking up around 11.30am.
"Fire and Emergency NZ staff from Clinton were turning cars and trucks away near the start of the Clinton/Mataura Road due to fallen power lines further down past the Owaka Valley turn-off.
"On that road as I drove towards Owaka I watched several milk tankers, light trucks and horse floats being battered by heavy southerly winds, while many street and road signs were blown over in many parts."
Mr Cosgrove said on the Karoro Creek Rd towards Kaka Point he had to stop and move a large tree branch which had just fallen over the road blocking one side of it.
"Along the Kaka Point Rd towards Balclutha, severe southerly gusts rocked my car as they blew out from behind houses and shelter belts."
He said the RNZAF NH90 assigned to a combined NZ Police/ LandSAR training exercise in the Catlins was securely tied down at the Owaka Rugby club's field as rain and high winds howled through the township.
DUNEDIN INCIDENTS
MetService warned west to southwest gusts could reach 120kmh at times for Dunedin and could get up to 130kmh in exposed parts of coastal Clutha in South Otago from 11am until 8pm.
Fire crews had been called to about four weather-related jobs in Dunedin, including a tree falling on part of Ravensbourne Rd (State Highway 88), a loose trampoline blowing in the wind and a property in Andersons Bay where a roof had lifted off a carport and damaged a house.
The New Zealand Transport Agency advised road users travelling on State Highway 87 between Outram and Kyeburn to be extra vigilant on the road.
SOUTHLAND CALLOUTS
In Southland, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said between 9am and 1pm, crews were called to 17 weather-related events, which had since died down.
Earlier, shift manager Johnathan Ditmer said these included trampolines being blown about and roofs lifting off houses, but nothing too serious.
Sstrong winds caused part of the spire at St Patrick's Catholic Church...
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