Several parts of the South Island are without power this morning as destructive winds and heavy rain hit the region this weekend.

MetService said strong winds are expected to continue into this afternoon and evening, mainly for the Canterbury and Marlborough region.

The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said it had been called out to incidents involving fallen trees and signage on highways.

NZTA has a general warning in place due to strong winds and is advising road users in the Canterbury region to take extra care, especially those operating light or high-sided vehicles.

“MetService’s red strong wind warning remains in place for Canterbury about and west of State Highway 1,” NZTA said.

“Under this highest level of warning, people are advised to avoid travel due to dangerous driving conditions.”

MetService said Mt Hutt recorded a “very strong” gust of 224k/mh overnight.

Alpine Energy reported several unplanned power outages across much of the region in Milford, Orari, Orton, Rangitata Island, Hunter, Makikihi ,Otaio, Temuka, Winchester and Jacksons Bush.

It stated that their crews were working to restore power and reminded people to treat all power lines as if they were live.

Transport and weather authorities are also advising motorists to stay off the roads.

Fire authorities are also urging people not to light outdoor fires due to the higher fire risk.

‘Damaging winds’ of up to 150km/h

MetService has issued a red strong wind warning – the highest level – for the Canterbury region, saying gusts of up to 150km/h are forecast in exposed places.

MetService’s Saturday advisory forecast a red warning had been issued for the Canterbury High Country for damaging northwesterly winds.

Southland, Fiordland, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, the inland parts of North Otago, Dunedin, Clutha, and the Marlborough region (excluding the Sounds) are experiencing severe northwesterly gales gusting at 120 km/h today in exposed areas.

“It’s looking like a blustery night and an intense Sunday ahead.

“Nearly all of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island are under orange strong wind warnings from late Saturday into Sunday,” MetService said.

“Gusts up to 120km/h are expected in exposed areas.”

It said MetService advised motorists to avoid travel in Canterbury about and west of the foothills and west of State Highway 1 south of the Rakaia River.

MetService said Wellington was next in the wind firing line with an orange wind warning right through until this evening.

KiwiRail has cancelled its Sunday TranzAlpine service due to severe weather.

Today’s 7.45am service from Christchurch to Greymouth and the 2.15pm return journey have both been canned, because of severe rain and gale warnings from MetService.

KiwiRail says no further services are affected at this stage.

The severe winds have the potential to cause threat to life from flying objects and falling trees, the weather authority says, and may cause widespread damage, including downed powerlines.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand district commander, Rob Hands, has made the plea after firefighters’ efforts to put out a scrub fire in Canterbury this week were hampered by high winds.

“We had a foretaste of this last Wednesday, when there were multiple fires across our region – and our firefighters dealt with some very challenging situations due to preventable fires.

“We want to avoid that happening again.”

Hands said the winds will make any fires very hard to control and could easily ignite old fires that have not been completely extinguished.

Anyone who has had an outdoor fire in the last two weeks is being urged to check the site and make sure it is completely out, Hands said.

Members of the public are told to put water on the ash piles or embers if there is any sign of heat.

Heavy rain warnings also in place

Orange heavy rain warnings are also in place for western parts of the South Island-West Coast, the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers.

The orange heavy rain warning continues into the Tasman region northwest of Motueka for 12 hours from 9am Sunday with 100mm to 140mm of rain expected.

MetService confirmed 83mm of rain had fallen at Mount Cook village in just 6 hours overnight, which equated to 12 mm of rain an hour.

Additionally Milford Sound recorded 64mm of rain overnight.

NZTA said it was responding to reports of flooding on State Highway 6 in Central Otago this morning and surface flooding on State Highway 73 between Kumara Junction and Arthur’s Pass.

People are advised to clear drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain, avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Westland is forecast to get heavy rainfall of between 120mm to 180mm and strong winds of up to 120km/h. Those in the area are advised there is a risk of flooding, slips and power outages.

“Rivers and streams may rise rapidly and surface flooding is possible.”

The Grey District is also in for strong winds and potential severe gusts in exposed areas. Members of the public are told to secure loose items and be prepared for travel delays.

Anyone in the Buller District should expect windy conditions and rainfall increasing today and tomorrow. People in the area are urged to drive with caution on exposed and elevated roads.

MetService said the combination of strong wind and rain pushed rainfall further inland with the heaviest rainfall east of the Southern Alps.

With school holidays also now under way, authorities are urging those travelling on roads to be extra careful and to keep up-to-date with weather forecasts and warnings.