Power outages persist in Northland after damaging winds

Hundreds of properties remain without power in Northland following a night of severe gales that brought down trees and powerlines across the region. The strong winds caused significant damage, including the loss of a roof from one home and the overturning of a truck and trailer near Dargaville.

At the peak of the storm, around 8000 customers were affected by outages. By this morning, that number has decreased significantly, with most of the remaining outages concentrated in Tinopai, a small coastal community on the Kaipara Harbour.

Northpower is working to restore power to all affected areas by the end of the day. A helicopter is assisting ground crews to locate faults more efficiently. Calm weather conditions are aiding the repair efforts. Residents can check the current status of outages via the Northpower outage map: northpower.nz/outages.

In the Far North, about 140 properties were still without power on Friday morning, according to Top Energy’s online outage tracker.

The only area of power outages on the Vector website relate to Whenuapai.

Fire and Emergency responded to 11 weather-related incidents across Northland, all of which occurred before midnight.

In one incident on State Highway 15 near Portland, Whangarei, motorists encountered a fallen tree blocking the road. A group of passing drivers worked together to remove the obstruction using available equipment, including a chainsaw, a digger, and a logging truck. The road was cleared in around 15 minutes thanks to their combined efforts.

MetService is forecasting more settled and calm weather for this weekend and so far next week!! Please check out the forecast below.

-----Weekend Weather Forecast -----

Warkworth / Rodney Region

Friday 18th July - A few showers, clearing with increasing fine spells this afternoon. Southwesterlies, strong in exposed places easing this afternoon.

Saturday 19th July - Mainly fine, but cloudy with isolated showers in the afternoon and evening. Westerlies developing for a time in the afternoon.

Sunday 20th July - Mainly fine, isolated showers clearing in the morning. Southerlies developing.

Mangawhai / Northland Region

Friday 18th July - Partly cloudy and the chance of a morning shower. Southwesterlies.

Saturday 19th July - Mainly fine, chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Southwesterlies, easing before dawn.

Sunday 20th July - Fine. Southerlies developing.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!