Power has been restored to customers in Glenorchy and Fernhill, near Queenstown, after wild weather brought down lines overnight, Delta says.
Delta line crews worked through the day to repair damaged overhead lines at Bobs Cove on the Queenstown-Glenorchy Rd and at Fernhill.
Overhead lines were inspected by helicopter earlier today.
A tree that had fallen across powerlines at Bobs Cove cut power to the southern lake settlement and blocked the road in both directions.
Emergency services worked late into the night to remove the tree while crews began repairing the lines.
The road reopened just before 2am.
This morning power remained out to all of Glenorchy and the Queenstown suburbs of Fernhill and Sunshine Bay.
Delta said severe winds continued and people should be prepared for the possibility of electricity-related hazards and power outages.
It offered the following advice:
- Always keep well clear of fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment and treat them as live at all times
- Watch out for falling tree branches as these can cause damage to power lines
- Switch appliances off at the wall to avoid possible damage to electrical appliances when power is restored
This morning much of southern and central New Zealand remained under a heavy rain and severe gale warning.
The heaviest rain was forecast to fall on Fiordland and the Westland ranges.
Potentially damaging gales of up to 140kmh were expected across southern and eastern regions of the South Island and the bottom of the North Island.
The capital's harbour ferry service cancelled some sailings and reduced its morning timetable because of the bad weather.
Drivers were also being warned to take care on the Rimutaka Hill Rd as winds gained strength.
- additional reporting NZME
