Winds fell trees, cut power once again

Wild winds whipped the Wakatipu yesterday morning, bringing down yet more trees and causing power outages.

Long after the winds dropped a large tree fell on Arthurs Point Rd, by the one-way Edith Cavell Bridge, about 3pm.

It was closed  for about 45 minutes until one lane could be opened.

The tree fell from a bank on the northern side of the bridge, near Atley Rd and motorists were asked to avoid the area while emergency services cleared the debris.

Meanwhile, Centennial Ave, in Arrowtown, between Suffolk St and Cardigan St was blocked yesterday morning after another large tree fell across the road about 7am when forecasted high winds arrived on schedule.

Queenstown Lakes District Council contractors spent several hours removing the tree and shifting timber. About 400 customers in Arthurs Point, Dalefield, Arrowtown and Maungawera were left without power from about 6.30am.

An Aurora Energy spokesman said the two faults were also thought to have been caused by the wind. Power was restored to all customers by 8.20am.

Queenstown Lakes District Council contractors deal to a tree on Centennial Ave, in Arrowtown,...
Queenstown Lakes District Council contractors deal to a tree on Centennial Ave, in Arrowtown, which fell yesterday morning during high winds in the Wakatipu. Photo: Tracey Roxburgh
MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray said the maximum wind gust recorded at Queenstown Airport was 67kmh.

The front also caused the temperature to drop quickly — from almost 25degC at 7am to 16degC within an hour.

The wind was followed by heavy rain which could not have been timed better for volunteer firefighters called to a vegetation fire about 6.30am at Tucker Beach Rd, near the Shotover River.

A Fire Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said a helicopter was called and then stood down after the fire broke out under power lines, posing a possible threat to property.

It measured about 100m by 50m. Flames at one point reached two to three metres high on the left flank.

Strong northwesterly winds  fanned the fire, but it was brought under control within an hour.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

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