Severe weather warning remains in place

A severe weather warning remains in place tonight for large parts of the country.

Many areas in the North Island and top of the south are still being battered by high winds with tens of thousands of homes without power.

Metservice said severe gales are still hitting eastern parts of the North Island, Wellington and coastal Marlborough; however they should ease later this evening.

It said gusts of 120 kilometres an hour are still likely until then.

Kapiti Coast Hit

Many homes on the Kapiti Coast were without power for much of the day — and som e internet services were cut off for long periods.

There was widespread line damage and many trees lost branches or were blown over by the severe winds.

The gales also caused damaged roofs and wrecked gardens.

As for the rain, it has now eased over the ranges from Mount Taranaki to Mount Ruapehu, Wairarapa, the eastern hills of Wellington, and the Kaikoura ranges.

But a period of heavy rain is expected over northern Hawke’s Bay, and due to continue into later this evening.

The number of houses, shops and farm buildings to have lost some or all of their roofs is still being assessed.

But the cost of the damage is already estimated at millions of dollars.

More than 30,000 customers in Taranaki and Wanganui regions are reportedly without electricity tonight, and the lines company Powerco said it could be up to a week before power to some can be restored.

It said its network began receiving damage at about 1am, as the front of the storm crossed the North Island.

The company said there is significant damage to powerlines, and more power cuts are expected.

It believes some customers could be waiting up to five days for power to be restored.

Civil Defence says that power is also out to a number of homes in Auckland.

There have been no reports of injuries so far.

River levels in Wellington watched

Authorities are keeping a close eye on river levels in the greater Wellington region.

In the Wairarapa, the heavy rain overnight and this morning saw 150 millimetres of rain fall on Angle Knob, resulting in significant flooding in the upper and middle Ruamahanga River.

While the worst of the rain has passed, some heavy showers are still expected, as are strong southerly winds.

The council said river levels are rising as the rain flows down the valley.

Flood warning staff are monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, a fireman involved in storm clean up in Wellington earlier today has been injured trying to clear a tree from a roof in Wainuiomata.

He was one of a group of firefighters who were using a chainsaw to remove the tree.

He has since been taken to hospital with moderate injuries to his neck.

Service disruptions widespread

A number of services have been disrupted as a result of the extreme weather.

All Wellington ferries have been cancelled and the Wellington Harbour master is advising extreme caution.

A number of flights around the country have been cancelled.

Wellington Airport’s website shows that a significant number of flights have been cancelled, but the airport remains open.