Dozens of houses have lost roofs, there are widespread power cuts, and trees are uprooted everywhere - by fierce winds still buffeting the South Island and lower North
Dozens of houses have lost roofs, there are widespread power cuts, and trees are uprooted everywhere - by fierce winds still buffeting the South Island and lower North
23 October 2025
A Red Wind Warning lifts about now for Southland, Clutha, Stewart Island, Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains.
It continues a couple more hours for Marlborough, Wellington and southern Wairarapa - and for one more hour in the Canterbury High Country.
Clutha, Southland and Grey Districts say residents need to conserve water - and Clutha and Queenstown have stood up Emergency Operations Centres.
NZTA's Mark Owen says crucial roads are closed, with the West Coast fully isolated - and State Highway 1 shut between Christchurch and Blenheim.
He says further South, rain has impacted highways - while a large slip has closed State Highway 6 on the West Coast.
Police say power lines are down in Balclutha, forcing road closures.
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