New Zealand hit by destructive winds, heavy rain and snow and high waves

WELLINGTON New Zealand AP Severe weather warnings covered swathes of New Zealand on Thursday with heavy downpours prompting a state of crisis for the South Island s largest city Christchurch while forecasters recorded destructive gales in the capital Wellington Heavy snow and large waves lashed other parts of the country No deaths or serious injuries were announced The extent of damage was not clear by afternoon but evacuations were not widespread Thursday s red wind warning for Wellington at the southern end of New Zealand s North Island was the first time the capital famous for its gusty gales has ever faced the the majority severe alert level Residents were urged to stay indoors avoid voyage and keep away from doors and windows as gusts of up to kph mph posed a threat to life from falling trees and flying objects the forecaster Metservice noted Flights to and from Wellington were cancelled throughout Thursday and client ferry sailings between the North and South Islands were halted until at least Friday afternoon Metservice expected meter foot swells in the Cook Strait the body of water between New Zealand s two largest islands About properties were without electricity Thursday afternoon in the wider Wellington region which has a population of The city s largest university closed for the day the Royal New Zealand Ballet cancelled an evening performance and several schools sent students home Wellington is New Zealand s windiest city registering gusts at gale speeds of kph mph on about half the days of the year But Wellington s emergency management chief Dan Neely warned residents to take the warnings seriously because the southerly tempest was unusually strong and could threaten lives Radio New Zealand informed In the city of Christchurch the largest on the South Island and in specific nearby rural areas heavy deluges caused rivers to spill over their banks closing roads and prompting fears the floodwaters could reach homes Local states of emergency were declared Thursday including in Christchurch Exigency Management Minister Mark Mitchell advised reporters Orange-level warnings the second majority serious were issued across parts of both islands for severe rain and large sea swells and in several South Island districts for heavy snow The storm system that lay across much of the country Thursday was due to ease Friday New Zealanders are accustomed to wild winter conditions because of geographic features that produce variable and sometimes extreme weather across the country of million people But it was extraordinary that such widespread warnings were issued Source