As wild winds cause sweeping damage across the country, a video shows Otago University students literally being lifted off their feet before narrowly escaping a falling tree.

The footage, sent to the Herald, captures the terrifying moment as gusts, reportedly reaching 130–150 km/h in exposed areas of Otago, push students across a footpath.

Seconds later, a large tree comes crashing down just meters away, narrowly missing one student.

An Otago University student had a near miss as a tree came down on campus in high winds today. Screenshot / Supplied

MetService meteorologists have warned that conditions across the South Island remain hazardous, with red strong wind warnings in place for much of the eastern regions.

Gusts of up to 150 km/h are expected in high-country areas, while Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains could reach 140 km/h until late afternoon.

The violent winds have caused widespread damage across Otago and Southland, as well as much of the country.

Wild winds have rocked the country on Thursday. Photo / David Bull

In Tapanui, the roof of the Four Square supermarket was lifted and crumpled, leaving the building closed indefinitely.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed that at least 19 roofs have been reported as lifted across the region, though no injuries have been officially recorded from those incidents.

Police and local authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel.

Two large trees were blown down outside the Hocken Library in Dunedin, complete with a road sign. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Southern District Police say multiple roads are blocked by debris, including fallen trees and downed power lines, while some areas face outages at water treatment plants.

Clinton resident Jean Anderson, who also lost part of her roof in the storm, described the scene as “chaotic,” adding that offers of shelter from neighbours have been a silver lining amid the damage.

Severe winds have torn the roof off the Tapanui Four Square. Photo / Supplied

MetService has also issued heavy rain warnings, with some areas expected to receive up to 150 mm of rain on top of already saturated ground.

Emergency operations centres across the region remain active to monitor ongoing impacts.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.