The NZ Transport Agency said in a statement tonight that persistent strong winds have hampered efforts of crews to clear fallen trees and reopen State Highway 6, near Lake Hāwea in Central Otago.
The closure has been in place between Lake Hāwea and Maungawera since this early in the afternoon, and trees have continued to fall throughout the day.
The highway would remain closed overnight and reassessed on Saturday morning.
Detours remain in place: Northbound traffic should turn right onto Camp Hill Rd, left onto Gladstone Rd, left onto Cemetery Rd, right onto Domain Rd, and left onto Hawea Control Structure Rd, before rejoining SH6. The reverse applies for southbound traffic.
Meanwhile, fallen trees have also impacted other Otago and Southland highways today to a lesser degree.
The strong winds were also experienced further north in Canterbury, and road users were urged to take care - especially those operating high-sided vehicles, towing vehicles or motorcycles.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council warned motorists that various trees blown down had closed multiple roads.
Cadrona Valley Rd was down to one lane and Lower Shotover Rd also had a tree laying in the road.
State Highway 85, at Chatto Creek, near Alexandra, was reduced to one lane after a tree fell across the northbound lane; and drivers were asked to travel with caution on State Highway 94 at Otamita, north of Gore, where trees have fallen beside the road.
In Riversdale, strong winds caused a small branch to fly into powerlines, setting it alight.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said one crew from Riversdale was at the scene for about an hour while they put out the flames.
The branch was removed, the fire was extinguished and the scene left in the hands of the power company.
Houses around Tuatapere and Curio Bay were without power due to a ‘‘strong wind storm,’’ the PowerNet website said.
- Allied Media
