200kmh wind gust as wild weather hammers the South Island

Much of the South Island is being lashed by heavy rain and severe gales as an active front moves up the country. MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said a wind gust of about 200kmh was recorded at Mount Hutt, Canterbury, around 8am on Monday. Further south, the Milford Road (State Highway 94) has been closed owing to the extreme nature of the weather. Meanwhile, in Wellington police have closed a central road due to high wind gusts. A spokesperson said a stretch of Oriental Parade and Evans Bay Parade was being shut following reports of multiple people falling off bicycles and wing mirrors being blown off cars. Fire officials said crews had dealt with several wind-related callouts, including material falling from buildings and downed power lines. Multiple warnings are in place across the South Island, as the severe weather moves in at the end of the long weekend.