Updated: 6:47am – Lines company Vector says power won’t be restored for some Aucklanders for three more days and forecast strong winds could slow repairs further.
Auckland was lashed by 140km/h winds last night which caused “chaos”, disrupting flights, knocking out power to more than 180,000 properties, and bringing down trees onto roads, cars and houses.
Vector network programme delivery manager Minoru Frederiksens told a news conference this afternoon power has been restored to 90,000 customers, with 91,000 still to come online.
He said crews were being brought in from around the country and they would work 24 hours in shifts to return fully restore power.
Mr Frederiksens said 129 lines were down across Auckland – mainly due to trees – but things like signage and trampolines were also responsible for damage.
“In some cases it has just passed right through [lines], so there doesn’t appear to be evidence of trees or debris.
“But if you look 100m down the road you might find a sign or something that has actually gone through our lines.”
He said he felt Vector did have enough time to prepare but what caught everybody out was the ferocity of the winds.
Mr Frederiksens said crews were prioritising restoring power to critical infrastrcuture and things like cell phone towers and schools.
-RNZ
Featured image: Power poles were brought down around the Auckland area by the strong winds. Photo: Vector
