New Zealand is currently facing widespread power outages caused by severe weather conditions, which have led to significant disruptions across multiple regions. Heavy thunderstorms accompanied by lightning strikes have resulted in power loss for families and businesses alike, particularly affecting Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, and surrounding areas.
According to MetService, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for large sections of the country, including South Waikato, Matamata Piako, and Taupō. By the afternoon, red warnings were active, indicating the potential for dangerous weather events like torrential rain, large hail, and even tornadoes. These conditions were forecasted to move southeast, with warnings issued for other areas such as Horowhenua and the Four Peaks Range.
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, at around 2:49 PM, power outages began to ripple through the eastern and central North Island due to lightning strikes. A grid emergency report from Transpower detailed how two circuits, feeding the Hawke's Bay region, tripped due to these weather impacts, officially declaring the situation as requiring urgent load management for restoration efforts.
“Tripping of the Tauhara Wairakei and Wairakei Whirinaki circuits due to a lightning strike caused the loss of supply to the Hawke's Bay and associated generation,” the report noted. By 5:20 PM, Transpower confirmed the emergency had ended, and teams were working to progressively restore power. The blackouts left areas like Napier and Hastings offline, affecting daily activities from restaurants to retailers.
Unison, the local lines company, expressed gratitude for the community's patience during this power restoration process. They updated their Facebook page with the progress, stating, “Our crews are currently investigating and working hard to restore power to you.” Unison made sure to instruct the public to treat all fallen wires as live, emphasizing safety as workers addressed the issues. They reported some success in re-establishing power connections and requested residents to be cautious as power might come on unexpectedly.
One of the immediate responses to the power outage included the Hawke's Bay Regional Council deploying backup generators for pump stations to manage stormwater effectively. This action was taken to mitigate risks associated with surface flooding, ensuring local infrastructure remained functional during the outages.
“We have deployed a generator to the Haumoana pump station to maintain service during the current power outage,” the council informed residents. They also monitored river and stream levels closely, prepared to deploy additional resources for flood management.
The scale of the outages was substantial, impacting around 50,000 residents throughout the Hawke's Bay region, including Wairoa, Gisborne, and Taupō. Reports from local authorities indicated significant disarray, with residents expressing concern over the power outages and their safety amid the weather disturbances. “No power as far north as Gisborne,” one commentator noted on social media.
Transpower confirmed the operational challenges posed by lightning strikes, emphasizing this was not the first occurrence. “Lightning strikes are regular hazards for our power systems,” they stated. With conditions expected to improve as the storms pass, the restoration process continues to be gradual. “We know it's never easy to be without power, and especially at such a busy time of the year leading up to Christmas,” they added.
To aid public safety amid these tumultuous conditions, the National Emergency Management Agency relayed important safety messaging. They urged individuals to seek shelter indoors away from windows and to avoid standing under trees during storms. They also advised locals on how to secure loose objects, check drains, and prepare vehicles for potential flooding.
Despite the challenging weather circumstances, there remains hope for those affected as restoration efforts progress. The community has shown resilience, with various resources mobilized to cope with the outages. Fortunately, the severe thunderstorm warnings are being lifted, indicating some reprieve from the challenges faced during this weather event.
To stay informed, residents are encouraged to keep updated with communications from local services, including Unison and the Regional Council, about power restoration timelines and safety guidelines. Although the immediate danger from storms may pass, the recovery period will likely stretch on as damage assessments and restoration efforts continue.
