Please Contribute Here to help us Grow!
Hundreds of seafront residents have been evacuated, a plane blew over at Wellington airport and a waterfront pathway was closed on Tuesday as the capital faced 11-metre high waves.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A state of emergency was in place for Wellington’s southern and eastern wards as huge swells were forecast for Wellington and Wairarapa.
Advertisement
Gusts were nearing 100km/h at Wellington Airport, adding to the swells.
Advertisement
‘Humongous’ waves and 137km/h winds have also hit the Wairarapa coast.
Advertisement
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for waterfront properties in Ōwhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Breaker Bay.
Advertisement
People who hadn’t left the evacuation zones did so at their own risk, the office said. “Emergency services will not be sent out to evacuated areas,” the office said.
Advertisement
Interislander and Bluebridge cancelled Cook Strait ferry sailings and some flights out of Wellington were affected.
Advertisement
Most Wellington south coast roads were closed, and an RNZ reporter said police picked up some people walking along the waterfront, while encouraging others to leave. The Te Ara Tupua walking path and cycleway along Wellington harbour was closed.
Advertisement
Source:1News
Advertisement