Severe Weather Event: Latest Updates

Last updated 4:37pm on Thursday 23 October

Update: Thursday 23 October, 4:37pm

The wind has certainly picked up in Tararua!

We're seeing widespread impacts across the district, including fallen strees, downed powerlines, and flying debris.

Roads: As at 4:00pm, 13 roads are currently closed, and 8 roads are being inspected. Check the latest updates here Current Road Status | Tararua District Council

Power: As at 4:00 pm, over 1,200 properties are without power across the district.

Council roading crews and power companies are working hard to clear debris and restore services. Fire and Emergency in Eketāhuna and Pahiatua have also been busy responding to multiple callouts today.
Due to power outages, the Eketāhuna Service Centre, Eketāhuna Transfer Station, and Pahiatua Library are closed.

Please stay safe, avoid unnecessary travel, and look out for your neighbours.

Update: Thursday 23 October, 10:46am

More severe weather is predicted to hit our district today. Our Incident Management Team is monitoring the weather across the district and ready to respond if needed. Our roading teams are also out and about, being proactive and prepared. Keep an eye on the Current Road Status page for updates: www.tararuadc.govt.nz/roadstatus

Weather warnings in place for Tararua

Orange Strong Wind Warning – Tararua District
10am Thursday 23 October – 3am Friday 24 October

Orange Heavy Rain Warning – Tararua Range (southern end of the district)
10am – 8pm Thursday 23 October

Thunderstorms may also impact the southern area of our district later today.

There are also red and orange warnings in surrounding areas — please take extra care if you’re travelling outside the district.

For more details, visit: https://www.metservice.com/

Now is the time to prepare for strong winds:

  • Bring inside or tie down anything that could blow away (like outdoor furniture or trampolines)
  • Bring pets indoors
  • Stay inside and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions worsen
  • Be aware of possible damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures – please exercise caution when passing beneath these

Preparing for a powercut:

  • Unplug major appliances to avoid power surge damage
  • Use torches instead of candles – they’re much safer
  • If you rely on power for medical equipment, call 111 or go to your nearest medical centre in an emergency
  • Treat all downed lines or electrical equipment as LIVE
  • Check your power company’s Facebook pages or websites for updates:
    https://scanpower.co.nz/
    https://www.powerco.co.nz/
    https://www.centralines.co.nz/

Fire and fireworks ban:

A reminder that there is a total fire ban on all outdoor fires and fireworks until Monday 27 October.

https://www.facebook.com/hawkesbayfireandemergency

If you spot trees down across roads, or any other roading issues, please call us on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110.

In the case of an emergency, please call 111.

For non-urgent Council related reports, download the Antenno app.

Update: Tuesday 21 October, 9:36pm

Now Upgraded to a Warning

STRONG WIND WARNING FOR TARARUA DISTRICT &  HEAVY RAIN WARNING FOR THE TARARUA RANGE

MetService have issued an orange strong wind warning for the Tararua District from 10am Thursday 23 October - 3am Friday 24 October. Severe gale northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

MetService have also issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Tararua Range in the southern part of our district from 10am - 8pm Thursday 23 October. Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected Thursday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms possible.  Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

MetService have issued an orange strong wind warning for the Tararua District from 10am Thursday 23 October - 3am Friday 24 October.
Severe gale northwesterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
What you can do:
Bring inside or tie down anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds - such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and garden gnomes - if it's light enough to fly, it might just be in for a free ride
Remove any debris or loose items from your property. Branches and firewood may become missiles in strong winds!
Bring pets indoors - great excuse for cuddles on the couch!
Stay safe and keep an eye out folks. And if your neighbours trampoline does end up in your backyard, it doesn't mean you can keep it!

MetService have also issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Tararua Range in the southern part of our district:
10am - 8pm Thursday 23 October.
Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected Thursday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms possible.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Update: Tuesday 21 October 2025, 3:30pm

High winds across the Tararua District

An Orange Strong Wind Warning is in place for the whole Tararua District until 8pm tonight (Tuesday 21 October). Another period of severe northwesterly gales is forecast for Thursday 23 October, and a Heavy Rain Warning is also in effect for the Tararua Ranges in the south of our district.

This morning we’ve received multiple reports of impacts across the district:

  • Trees down in several areas, causing road closures - Tararua Alliance teams are out clearing debris and working to reopen roads.
  • Power outages are affecting Norsewood, Eketāhuna, Pahiatua, Pongaroa and Ākitio - Scanpower and Powerco are working to restore supply.
  • Debris, fences, roofing material, rubbish and recycling are being blown around in Dannevirke and Norsewood.

Conditions are expected to remain windy through the day, with more rain this afternoon for our southern areas.

Please:

👉  Keep your wheelie bins and recycling in or weighed down — half-full bins can easily become airborne.

👉  Drive with care — watch for fallen branches and other hazards.

👉  Stay indoors where possible while winds are strong.

👉 Check on neighbours or friends, especially in rural areas, if it’s safe to do so.

Our teams are continuing to monitor the situation and will share updates as new information becomes available.

Check out our Current Road Status page to keep up to date with closed roads in the district: 

https://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/roadstatus

Check out the power company pages to keep up to date with power outages in the district:

https://outages.powerco.co.nz/

https://scanpower.co.nz/

https://www.centralines.co.nz/outages/

Report fallen trees, debris, or damage on roads to Council on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110.

For non-urgent matters, you can report through the Antenno app.

We also now have an Instagram account! Follow us if this is your preferred method of receiving updates.

Original Notice

𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗔 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗧 & 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗔 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘

MetService have issued a strong wind warning for the Tararua District from 10pm Monday 20 October - 8pm Tuesday 21 October.Severe gale northwesterly gusting 130 km/h in exposed places.

What you can do:

  • Bring inside or tie down anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds - such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and garden gnomes - if it's light enough to fly, it might just be in for a free ride
  • Remove any debris or loose items from your property. Branches and firewood may become missiles in strong winds!
  • Bring pets indoors - great excuse for cuddles on the couch!
  • Stay safe and keep an eye out folks. (And if your neighbours trampoline does end up in your backyard, it doesn't mean you can keep it!)

MetService have also issued a heavy rain warning for the Tararua Range in the southern part of our district: 11pm Monday 20 October - 6pm Tuesday 21 October A period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.