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Source: ONE News
Blustery weather has brought down power lines in the capital and ripped a 250 tonne section from the Rena today.
A strong front is sweeping across the country, bringing rain and wind to many areas, and while it is expected to ease, MetService is warning it is not over just yet.
Around 350 homes in Wellington were without power this morning after wind gusts of up to 130 kilometres an hour brought down power lines.
Wellington Electricity spokesman Hugo Armstrong said they were preparing for more windy weather to hit.
Off the Tauranga coast, rough seas and strong winds caused a 25 metre section from the Rena to rip away from the main hull.
The section, which included the boat landing platform, access ladder and gas cutting equipment, is being used by salvors as part of the ongoing effort to remove debris from the ship.
No one was on board at the time and salvors say it is not delaying their efforts.
Southland, inland Canterbury, Marlborough and Wellington have received a battering from strong winds, stemming from a north-westerly, which is also making its presence felt in other areas of the country.
Meanwhile, heavy rain has been falling in the West Coast, particularly in Fiordland.
While the weather is expected to ease briefly, it will pick up again tomorrow and could be even more intense, MetService severe weather forecaster Andy Downes said.
Severe gales may reach speeds of 120kmh in inland Canterbury through to Wellington and Wairarapa tomorrow and MetService says gales of this nature can bring powerlines down, damage trees and make driving conditions hazardous.
The strong winds are likely to affect the Desert Road and the central North Island skifields.
The weather pattern will linger through to Sunday but the wind is not expected to be as strong.
Moving in to next week, MetService forecaster Chris Noble says the westerly flow is sticking around and Wellington and western parts of the country should expect to get another drenching, while eastern areas will remain relatively unscathed.
- with Newstalk ZB